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The anniversary of the Watergate arrests marks a pivotal moment in American political history, symbolizing the enduring importance of accountability, transparency, and the role of the media in a democratic society. This event matters to the public because it highlights the critical function of investigative journalism and its impact on government oversight. The Watergate scandal fundamentally transformed American politics and media, providing numerous compelling story angles for journalists to explore: The role of investigative journalism in uncovering the Watergate scandal The impact of Watergate on American political culture and public trust in government Personal accounts from journalists, political figures, and historians who lived through the era The evolution of political scandals and their handling in the media since Watergate The influence of Watergate on contemporary issues of government transparency and accountability Educational initiatives and resources for teaching the significance of Watergate to new generations As we commemorate the anniversary of the Watergate arrests, journalists have an opportunity to delve into these multifaceted narratives, shedding light on the historical significance and lasting impact of this monumental event in American history. Connect with an Expert about the history of Watergate: Stephen Griffin W.R. Irby Chair and Rutledge C. Clement Jr. Professor in Constitutional Law · Tulane University Thomas Schwartz Distinguished Professor of History · Vanderbilt University Michael A. Genovese Professor of Political Science and International Relations · Loyola Marymount University Jim Riddlesperger Professor · Texas Christian University Walter Isaacson University Professor · Tulane University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Library of Congress
Wilmington Campus Receives $1 Million Donation From the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation
ChristianaCare has received a $1 million gift from The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation Inc. in support of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Campus. “All families and communities deserve the excellent care that Wilmington Hospital and ChristianaCare provide,” said Rocco and Mary Abessinio. “It is an honor for our family to support the health and wellbeing of the Wilmington community.” The funds will support areas of greatest need, including the expansion of patient care initiatives aimed at reducing disparities in screening and treatment for cancer and cardiovascular disease in the city of Wilmington. “We are tremendously grateful to the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation for their continued, generous support of the Wilmington Campus – a vital resource serving the greater Wilmington community,” said Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, ChristianaCare president and CEO. “With their help, we are closing gaps in health disparities and improving health for everyone, including some of Delaware’s most vulnerable populations.” The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation provided a $1 million gift in 2014 for the redesign and renovation of the health center, which was then named the Rocco A. Abessinio Family Health Center at Wilmington Hospital. The health center is home to three primary care practices and other programs and services that offer high-quality health care, wellness and preventive health visits for people of all ages, regardless of their income or ability to pay. “As a result of the Abessinio family’s longstanding partnership and investment in our mission of service, we are making significant progress in addressing disparities and building strong and healthy communities,” said LeRoi S. Hicks, M.D., MPH, FACP, campus executive director of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital. A Wilmington landmark in the heart of the city, the ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital has been serving the diverse medical needs of the city and surrounding region for over 125 years. “Philanthropy is essential to ChristianaCare’s mission of service to our community, and we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Rocco and Mary Abessinio for their inspiring and visionary philanthropic leadership in support of the Wilmington Campus,” said Dia Williams Adams, MPA, vice president of philanthropy at ChristianaCare. “Their gift is a legacy that not only allows us to increase our ability to make a positive impact on patients and community, but honors the incredible work that our caregivers do every day.” For more information about ways to support ChristianaCare’s mission of service to the community, visit: https://christianacare.org/us/en/make-a-gift.
Saturday is World Martini Day - let our experts explain the history of cocktails
The history of cocktails is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting cultural, social, and culinary evolution. This topic matters to the public as it encapsulates the artistry and innovation in mixology, the social rituals associated with drinking, and the broader historical contexts that shaped our favorite drinks. Exploring the history of cocktails offers numerous intriguing story angles for journalists to delve into, appealing to a wide audience: The origins of classic cocktails and their evolution over time The cultural and social significance of cocktails in different eras, from Prohibition to the present day The influence of global ingredients and international traditions on cocktail recipes Profiles of iconic bartenders and mixologists who have shaped the cocktail industry The rise of craft cocktails and the modern mixology movement The role of cocktails in popular culture, including literature, film, and music As we explore the rich history of cocktails, journalists have the opportunity to uncover the stories behind beloved drinks, the people who created them, and the cultural trends that continue to influence the world of mixology today. Connect with an Expert about the history of cocktails: Geoffrey Kleinman Editor · DrinkSpirits.com Howard (Shih-Ming) Hu Professor of Hotel, Resort, Hospitality Management · Southern Utah University Sheryl F. Kline Professor, Hospitality · University of Delaware Krystyn Moon Professor · University of Mary Washington To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Patrick Schöpflin
The 2024 Cision State of the Media Report is jam-packed with all sorts of detailed PR info which can be somewhat overwhelming. But there's an important theme to be found in the data. Kudos to the team at Cision for running this survey that polled over 3,000 staff journalists and freelancers, which is now in its 15th year. The big takeaway for me? Give journalists what they want. Sounds simple enough. Yet, with so many organizations competing for media attention amidst a sea of new AI-enabled platform hacks, many need to focus on the fundamentals of media relations, which this report nicely captures. The media is inundated with pitches. So, the secret to success lies in understanding what jobs journalists have to do and giving them what they need to file their stories…fast. According to the Cision 2024 survey, at the top of the journalists' wish list are: Topical Relevance (68%): Understanding the target audience and what they find relevant. Access to Experts (52%): Connecting journalists with experts and setting up interviews. Credible Data and Research (48%): Providing data and key research. Speed of Response (47%): Responding quickly to inquiries and respecting journalists’ deadlines. In short, journalists want relevant pitches, expert connections, and credible data, and they want it ASAP so they can meet their deadlines. While the Cision report outlines many other best practices that will undoubtedly improve your coverage rate (such as helping journalists quickly source multimedia assets like images), I want to focus on the importance of nailing these first four rules. Rule #1: Pitch Relevant Topics to Journalists Irrelevant pitches not only waste a journalist's time but also damage your credibility. In fact, 77% of journalists in the Cision study cited being spammed with irrelevant pitches as a reason to block a PR professional or put them on the "do not call" list. The study also reported that journalists are "fed up" with follow-ups to unsolicited pitches. Now, only 8% of journalists think it's okay to follow up more than once to check on a story they have pitched. Rule #2: Get Your Experts in Front of Journalists Connecting with credible expert sources is time-consuming. Joint research conducted by ExpertFile and the Associated Press revealed it takes on average, over 2 hours for journalists to secure an expert source for an interview. We can do better than that. As a PR/Media Relations pro, one of your "superpowers" needs to be the ability to spot a story opportunity and get your subject matter experts lined up for the media interview. This is an area where journalists see comms and media pros playing a vital role inside the organization. But if your pitch "sounds like a marketing brochure" the Cision survey shows that 55% of journalists would add you to their naughty list. One of the best ways to avoid this trap and enrich your story is to bring experts and their unique, specialized knowledge to the interview. That means ensuring you are attributing the source of your blog posts to experts in your organization and including links to their expert profile in your pitch. Enclosing a link to an outdated, boring biography on your website or a LinkedIn profile that hasn't been updated since the Yankees last won the World Series (2009), won't score points with journalists. Rule 3: Provide Journalists with Credible Data and Key Research Providing this information not only supports your story but also builds trust. Ensure that your pitches include the latest research findings, statistics, and data from reputable sources within your institution. This evidence-based approach enhances the credibility of your pitches and increases the likelihood of them being picked up by the media. While primary data is best, if you are curating data from other sources, it's critical to cite sources and, ideally, create derivative insights that help the journalist look at the information in a fresh way. For example we have many economists on our ExpertFile network that provide insights regularly on data they didn't gather. But their ability to critically analyze economic data from trusted sources such as the US Census Bureau or the European Union and generate unique, often counterintuitive or provocative insights is what sets them apart from other experts. Rule #4: Help Meet the Journalist's Deadline Journalists often work under tight deadlines and timely responses from PR professionals. Our software has helped organizations handle thousands of media requests every year and if there is one thing we've learned, media is all about speed. If you are a "serious player" you need protocols and processes to quickly respond to media inquiries and get your expert sources lined up to provide the necessary information and insights to meet same-day deadlines. This shows journalists you respect their time and are a reliable source and you will be on speed dial for future stories. Are You Pitching Effectively? Here’s a few tough questions. Answer truthfully. Are You Personally Wasting Time Pitching? How much time do you spend pitching the media vs. responding to inbound media opportunities? Data from Propel Media shows 97% of media pitches fail. While journalists open approximately half of the pitches they receive they only respond to an average of 2.99% of the pitches. Yet the Cision data shows that it's not always your fault. Why? Well, unless you're a gifted psychic, you simply can't know for sure how a journalist is going to react to your pitch. That's why more media departments and their PR agencies are cutting back on spammy pitch activities and moving to more strategic activities that get more traction. With the extra time they save, they can focus on promoting their experts online where journalists are actively searching for credible sources. The result is more qualified inbound inquiries from journalists genuinely interested in interviewing your experts. And that means a lot less anxiety about meeting your media coverage targets. Are You Wasting Journalists' Time? Is your newsroom or media relations page set up to allow journalists to quickly serve themselves 24x7? Can they easily search by specific topics to find an expert within seconds to help meet their deadlines? Or are you expecting them to email or call you for help. (hint: journalists don't have time for that kind of friction). Here's a nice example of how US-based health system, ChristianaCare makes their medical experts available to journalists round the clock while saving hundreds of hours a year for their Comms and Digital team. I'd love to hear more about how you are helping journalists and how that's paying off with increased media coverage. Let me know in the comments below or connect/follow me on LinkedIn or on ExpertFile.
Professors address students' climate anxiety
Professors at the University of Delaware preparing students for careers working on climate change are making sure to consider mental health issues as they send them out into the world. UD's Climate Change Science and Policy Hub, led by director A.R. Siders, is starting a series of initiatives – on campus and in the region – to tackle the challenge of what is known as climate anxiety. This involves traditional trainings but also innovations with creativity, art, video games and play. "Learning about and working on climate change causes climate anxiety, ecogrief, solastalgia – there’s a whole new set of terms being created just to describe the problem," said Siders, also an associate professor in UD's Disaster Research Center and Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. "This is a real mental health concern." This new way of approaching climate education has become even more critical as universities expand climate education – such as new climate schools, degrees, courses and even embedding it in general education courses, Siders said. The U.S. government is supporting a growing climate workforce, and it is expected that more people will work in climate-related careers. To reach Siders and set up an interview, visit her profile and click on the "contact" link. This will automatically send an email directly to her.
Covering the legacy of Nelson Mandela - let our experts help with your questions and coverage
It was on this day in 1964 - Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life in prison in South Africa. Nelson Mandela's legacy as a champion of freedom, justice, and human rights continues to inspire people worldwide. His life and work are not only historically significant due to his role in ending apartheid in South Africa but also for his broader impact on global movements for equality and social justice. Mandela's relevance today is underscored by ongoing struggles against racism, oppression, and inequality. Reflecting on his contributions offers valuable lessons for current and future generations. Key story angles include: Mandela’s Life and Legacy: Exploring the key milestones of Mandela's life, including his activism, imprisonment, presidency, and post-presidential work. Impact on South African Society: Analyzing how Mandela's efforts to dismantle apartheid and promote reconciliation have shaped modern South Africa. Global Influence: Investigating Mandela's influence on international human rights movements, his role as a global symbol of resistance and peace, and his impact on world leaders. Continued Relevance in Social Justice Movements: Examining how Mandela’s principles and strategies are applied in contemporary struggles against racial injustice, inequality, and political oppression. Personal Stories and Tributes: Sharing personal narratives from those who worked with Mandela, were inspired by him, or were directly impacted by his legacy. Educational and Cultural Contributions: Discussing Mandela's contributions to education, culture, and the promotion of peace, and how his legacy is preserved and taught worldwide. These angles offer journalists a comprehensive framework to explore the historical significance and enduring impact of these pivotal figures and events. Connect with an Expert about the legacy and life of Nelson Mandela: Frederick W. Gooding, Jr. Dr. Ronald E. Moore Professor in Humanities · Texas Christian University David Walton Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Global Black Studies Program · Western Carolina University John Aerni-Flessner Assistant Professor of African History · Michigan State University Stephanie Bangarth Associate Professor, Department of History · King's University College, University of Western Ontario Richard A. Wilson, Ph.D. Gladstein Distinguished Chair of Human Rights and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor · University of Connecticut To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Gregory Fullard
Presidential Race Continues After Trump’s Guilty Verdict
Dr. Meena Bose, professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, and executive director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, was interviewed by Courthouse News about the guilty verdict in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial and how it might impact voters this coming election. Trump is the first U.S. president to be charged with — and now convicted of — a crime “The presidency is the highest office in the land, and there is an expectation that presidents are supposed to represent kind of the best the United States has as far as character, leadership, responsibility,” said Dr. Bose. “And the convicted felon obviously doesn’t meet those expectations.” Dr. Bose added that Trump has proven himself repeatedly to be a “different candidate” from any other who has preceded him, primarily for his ability to evade career-crushing consequences since he first emerged on the presidential ticket in 2016. “Politically, other politicians would feel pressure to step aside,” she said. “But Donald Trump didn’t do so in 2016, he did everything he could to try and stay in office in 2020, and even after January 6 and an unprecedented second impeachment in 2021, ran for reelection and kind of effectively ended the primary contest very early without participating in a single primary debate.” Dr. Meena Bose is Executive Dean of Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs. She is available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
It's the anniversary of the Six-Day War - Our experts are here to help if you're covering
The anniversary of the Six-Day War is a significant historical event that continues to shape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. This war, which took place in 1967, had far-reaching consequences, including territorial changes, shifts in political power, and long-lasting effects on regional and international relations. The event remains newsworthy because of its ongoing impact on peace processes, security issues, and the socio-political dynamics of the region. Understanding the Six-Day War's legacy provides insights into current conflicts and diplomatic efforts. Key story angles include: Historical Context and Consequences: Analyzing the causes, key events, and immediate aftermath of the Six-Day War, and how it reshaped the Middle East. Geopolitical Impact: Exploring the war's influence on regional politics, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, territorial disputes, and alliances. Peace Processes and Diplomatic Efforts: Investigating ongoing peace efforts, negotiations, and the role of international organizations in resolving conflicts stemming from the war. Military Strategy and Tactics: Examining the military strategies used during the war, innovations in warfare, and lessons learned by modern military forces. Humanitarian and Social Implications: Discussing the war's impact on civilian populations, displacement, and the long-term social and economic effects on affected communities. Media Representation and Public Perception: Analyzing how the Six-Day War has been portrayed in media over the years and its influence on public opinion and policy-making. Connect with an Expert about the anniversary of the Six-Day War: Kelly Shannon, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Executive Director, Center for Peace, Justice, & Human Rights (PJHR) · Florida Atlantic University Brian Edwards Dean & Professor of English School of Liberal Arts · Tulane University Ali A. Olomi Assistant Professor of History · Loyola Marymount University Jeremy Pressman, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of Middle East Studies · University of Connecticut Ranjit Singh Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs · University of Mary Washington To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo Credit: Jewish Virtual Library
Those flying spiders are harmless; don't tell that to arachnophobes
A breed of flying arachnids known as Joro spiders are headed to the northeast this summer, specifically Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Experts say there's nothing to fear, but that doesn't make them any less scary to those who have an issue with the eight-legged bug eaters. Two University of Delaware experts can provide insight and (some) comfort regarding any potential risk to humans. Brian Kunkel, an expert in landscape and household insects and entomology for ornamentals with UD's Cooperative Extension, confirmed the yellow and black spider will be making its arrival in the Tri-State area but said it isn't likely to be noticed until the fall, when it grows to visible size. Regardless, there is no need to be concerned. In the unlikely event that it bites, you would feel something akin to a bee sting, Kunkel said. Doug Tallamy, professor of entomology and wildlife ecology, confirmed the spiders are on the way but echoed Kunkel's assessment that there is nothing to be worried about. To set up an interview with Kunkel, send an email to mediarelations@udel.edu. If interested in an interview with Tallamy, visit his profile and click on the contact button.
The anniversary of D-Day marks a pivotal moment in World War II, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. This event matters to the public as it honors the heroes who fought for freedom and underscores the enduring lessons of courage, strategy, and unity in the face of adversity. The significance of D-Day provides numerous compelling story angles for journalists to explore, appealing to a broad audience: Firsthand accounts and personal stories of veterans who participated in the D-Day invasion The strategic planning and execution of Operation Overlord, and its impact on the outcome of World War II The role of international cooperation and the contributions of different Allied nations in the Normandy landings The lasting legacy of D-Day on contemporary military tactics and international relations Commemorative events and ceremonies honoring the fallen and preserving the memory of D-Day Educational initiatives and resources for teaching younger generations about the importance of D-Day and World War II history As we commemorate the anniversary of D-Day, journalists have an opportunity to delve into these multifaceted narratives, shedding light on the historical significance and lasting impact of this monumental event. Connect with an Expert about D-Day and America's efforts in WWII: Colin Rafferty Associate Professor · University of Mary Washington Marc Gallicchio, PhD Professor and Mary M. Birle Chair in History | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences · Villanova University Robert Taylor, Ph.D. Dean | College of Psychology and Liberal Arts · Florida Tech Patrick Jung, Ph.D. Professor · Milwaukee School of Engineering Kara Dixon Vuic LCpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt Professor of War, Conflict, and Society in 20th-Century America · Texas Christian University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Joris Berthelot