CREATING YOUR OWN NEWSROOM: MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SHARES NEWS VIDEO EXPERTISE

If a picture is worth a thousand words, video could be worth even more to organizations wanting to tell their stories visually. At the Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter’s September professional development luncheon, public information leaders from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office will share how organizations can create professional-looking news-style videos and share online. The luncheon is set for Sept. 18, noon-1 p.m., (networking begins at 11:30 a.m.) at the College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, Teleconference Room (3001 SW College Road, Ocala).

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has successfully created an in-house newsroom, highlighting the agency’s news stories with daily (Monday-Friday) short videos shared on its Facebook page. The videos attract thousands of views, and beats the broadcast news stations in releasing the news almost every day. MCSO’s former public information officer, Capt. James Pogue, and the current public information officer, recently-promoted Lt. Ryan Robbins, will present on how this newsroom was created and give tips to attendees for how to implement a similar program.

The meeting is not limited to members; guests and non-members are welcome to attend with payment and RSVP to [email protected] by Sept. 15. The registration fee includes lunch; $20 for members and $25 for guests and for members who pay at the door. Visit
http://www.fpraocala.org/event-registration/ to register and pay online.

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association builds better public relations practitioners and communicators through professional development, networking opportunities and ethical practices. Formed in 1980, the chapter boasts a strong membership representing nearly every industry in the area, including: government, associations, nonprofit, education, healthcare, legal, corporate, retail, agencies and small business. Members are committed not only to the betterment of the profession, but also to the community through a number of community service projects held each year.