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Tag: media

Read this and you will never speed again

This image is taken from The Advocate Newspaper. Read the full article here.

Matthew Woodberry was a 19 year old with the world at his feet. He had a promising career ahead as a boilermaker/welder and was on track to make Olympic selection in his chosen sport of track cycling. Nothing could touch him.

Then, on Boxing Day in 1999, driving along the highway with a mate, Matthew decided to see if his car could fly. And fly it did. At 200km/hour, his car veered out of control, hit a telegraph pole and rolled.

His head made contact with the ground, resulting in him losing near half of it. With substantial brain damage and a host of other serious injuries, Matthew was taken to Hobart hospital primarily as spare parts for someone else in need. He was not meant to live.

On Saturday night at the Rotary Devonport North changeover dinner, one of Rotary’s elite spoke about Matthew’s involvement in the RYDA program – Rotary Youth Driver Awareness. Through that program Matthew has now spoken to over 6000 high school students about his accident, the volume of gravel surgeons took from his head, the state of his car after the crash and the long rehabilitation process he still undertakes today. Some of the contents is graphic. And his story has brought seasoned school teaches to tears.

Matthew is also frank about the fact he was never meant to walk or talk again. Although, by all reports it’s often hard now to shut him up. And he’s finally made it back to the cycling track, going so far as to tie a hand and foot to the bike to make it possible.

After telling this story, and with Matthew by his side, the Rotarian began talking about the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary’s highest accolade for individuals and one that isn’t given out lightly – especially not to non-Rotarians.

Tears began to fall from each of the faces that adorned the room as everyone realised Matthew was being honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow. While many in Matthew’s position hide away, not willing to share their experiences, Matthew regularly relives that horror day again and again. All for the sake of saving one young life; to stop one young driver taking a stupid risk on the road.

Knowing some of the things I did – stupid things – as a young driver, I wish I’d had a wake up call like this. I was one of the lucky ones. As a woman in my life keeps telling me: “my time wasn’t up”.

At the end of what was an incredibly moving speech, the Rotarian turned to Matthew and said: “Matthew, it’s been an honour knowing you”. To which Matthew quickly replied: “I’m not dying, you know”. While everyone else at the dinner was in hysterics, I’m sure his parents were quietly thinking: “Thank god”.

If you have a young person in your life who holds a license, I recommend getting them to attend a RYDA program. It may make them think twice next time they take to the road.

Thinking back to your own youth and the risks you took, what do you worry most about with your children getting older? Is it speeding, drugs and alcohol or something entirely different?

July 12, 2012
A sneak peek at the soon-to-be-released ebook

Yes, you read right. I’m giving you a little sneak peek inside the long awaited ebook from my popular newspaper column, Mum’s the Word. The ebook will be released in conjunction with Fairfax’s The Advocate Newspaper in Tasmania.

To get you all up to speed, back when I first became up the duff with Princess Ella, I began writing what was a light-hearted and humorous look at having a bun in the oven. Once Ella was born, readers requested it continue and so the columns went on to document the first year of her life – the good, the bad and the down-right hilarious.

The series was read by a readership of 90,000, yet many of my readers here on the blog know little about it. So this is my chance to share that story with you. But the real reason? Four years on, The Bloke in The Shed and I receive comments weekly about that column -what parts they could relate to, what made them laugh and what was happening in their child’s life at the time. Can I add, a large number of these are middle-aged men. No joke.

One of the reasons for introducing you to this just before it’s released is because we’re on the hunt for the best title for the book. Whoever can come up with the title that wins our hearts – and maybe even makes us laugh – will score a credit in the book!

Here’s the first column in the book for a bit of inspiration:

Nauseous, patronised and fat — but happy

August 15, 2007

PEOPLE ask ‘‘how are you feeling?’’ like I’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I’m just up the duff, for Pete’s sake. And if it is a disease, for me at least, it wasn’t that easy to catch — despite the warnings.

What you don’t learn — until now — is that there’s this minute window of ovulation each month, which will have you running to the bedroom faster than a cheetah chasing a limping gazelle. Sorry, nan. Perhaps you better go and make that cup of tea now.

Now, there’s some tragics — who shall remain nameless — who try to help the little blighters in their swimming endeavours by raising their legs in the air after ‘‘the deed’’. Come on. We all know it’s easier to swim with the current, not against it.

Mind you, the other theory is that you only want the toughest swimmers, not some measly little tadpole that got through on a free ticket. Just because Steven Bradbury won a gold medal, it doesn’t make him a legend.

If you want to get technical, you can go into the whole lunar moon thing, which gives you a second crack each month at scoring. But, in the end, the mission was achieved and no, it’s no disease.

Unless you count the first four months, where I felt like I’d been on the biggest New Year’s Eve bender —just the spewy end of the bender, minus the high. Plus, I look like I haven’t slept for a month after stumbling from my slumber for a leak for the third time in one night and being kicked awake in-between.

My tummy looks like I’ve indulged in Christmas lunch every meal — with beers — for the past six months. And you leak from everywhere. Trust me, it’s gross. OK, so maybe there’s reason to think I have The Pregnancy Disease.

But the worst of it is the baby eating my brain. Those times when you put the Cornflakes in the fridge or leave the paid-for groceries at the supermarket, happen regularly. But seriously, I have nothing to complain about, in fact, it’s been one of the most amazing things I’ve . . . Sorry, what was I saying?

February 29, 2012
The Shed: C’mon, Aussie Lleyton, c’mon

By Julian O’Brien, aka The Bloke in The Shed

The look in the eyes of the kid was unmistakable. It was steely-eyed determination and grit. The kid with the backwards cap and the focus beyond his years who was looking intensely at the sports journo from a regional newspaper interviewing him was Lleyton Hewitt. The other bloke was me.

I was interviewing Lletyon after he won the national 14 and under hardcourt championships in Burnie, Tasmania and alongside him was the female winner. She was a much taller, more affable and a more relaxed personality. Her name was Alicia Molik.

Interestingly, Lleyton’s mum and dad hovered close by. Not much has changed.

What struck me then has also not changed to this day. Lleyton Hewitt is just one extremely talented and focused individual who has a terrific family support network.

Get him off court and comfortable, he’d be a terrific bloke to be around. Get him on court or out of his bubble, he’d be an absolute nightmare.

If you look up “competitor’’ in the dictionary, it would be fitting to see Lleyton’s mugshot there. Sure, Australia has probably produced more decorated tennis players, but the fact remains – on statistics – he is our greatest ever Davis Cup player. Ever. He loves the nation which spawned him. Therefore, we should love him back.

I saw someone refer to him as “Bogan Lleyton” on Twitter recently. I’m tipping Lleyton might wear that as a badge of honour and I’d encourage him to do so. The tennis player I saw as a kid transferred to the world stage.

As a pimple-faced kid, I saw him chase down balls no-one human had the right to retrieving. He was a player determined to make the most out of his ability and, regardless of any future results, he has already done just that. That should be respected, whether you love him or hate him.

Lleyton, whether the end of your career is nigh or far, you are a champion. Thanks for the memories.

What are your favourite tennis memories? Have you been watching the Open?

Photo credit.

January 23, 2012
MEDIA: Working with PR
TODAY I hosted a live chat on Working with PR for bloggers on Digital Parents. Thanks to some fabulous questions and contributions from those who took part, there was far more covered than what’s in my notes below. However, this will at least give you a good idea of what took place.

So, here we go…

I have a pretty broad topic to tackle, so will try and offer a handful of tips for 1. Dealing with PR pitches that come into your inbox; 2. Approaching PR/businesses to gain reviews and giveaway opportunities; and 3. How to do your own free PR to get publicity for your blog.

Please ask questions if you either want to know more or don’t understand something (that applies to anyone reading this blog post too!).

I confess, I’m not an expert!
- Firstly, dealing with PR pitches that come into your inbox.
OK, so we all know some PR companies haven’t been trained in working with new media – ie bloggers. So PR and bloggers need to work together, not against each other.

If a press release comes through and it has no call to action (ie review or giveaway opportunity), they’re asking for you to do a post on their release. This is how PR and the media work.

You’re welcome to run it as a news item or part of a post based on that topic/item, of course. However, I know most of you don’t want to. I, for one, don’t.

One of the best ways to respond is to thank them for the email and let them know that, because it’s a personal blog about your family’s life, you don’t do product release news. However, you’d be happy to discuss doing a review of your family’s experience using the product, along with a giveaway if interested (if that’s what you want to do).

If you get sent goods from a PR peep without asking for it, you’re not obliged to do a post about it or even send it back. This is just how things work.

Don’t be afraid to say “no’’. It’s hard, I know. But most PR welcome people being honest and upfront with them, rather than pussy footing around (am I allowed to say that?). You are the writer, editor and publisher of your blog. You set the rules.

If you want to be paid for your post (ie a sponsored post), don’t bother asking the PR person. You’ll need to approach the media and advertising agencies for this.
- OK, now onto approaching a PR biz to gain review/giveaway opportunities.
Don’t be afraid to ask, or the answer’s no anyway. If you want a review copy, ask for one. If you want a giveaway, ask for one. You have nothing to lose.

After a previous DP discussion I started on gaining review-giveaways, I was asked a lot about what to say in the email. Basically, introduce yourself, your blog and your stats. Let them know you love their product and ask whether they’d be interested in your reviewing it and doing a giveaway. It’s as simple as that.

It’s also worth mentioning you’ll spruik about it via your social media accounts.

ALWAYS send them a link once it’s live on your blog and a follow up one once it’s drawn. PR especially deal with lots of different media, so they can’t chase up everyone’s sites/publications to see what was run. Make their job easier for them. They’ll then be more willing to work with you again.
- LASTLY, how to do your own PR to get publicity for your blog in the media.
One of the biggest questions is: I don’t have a story to sell. You’d be surprised how easy it is for you to do your own publicity.

Here are just a handful of story ideas, but there are literally hundreds out there. I’ve done a few posts on it.
- Release a statement with your viewpoint on a news item. For eg, statistics have revealed there are now more mummy bloggers than any other type of blogger. This is a perfect opportunity for you to pitch yourself to the media as a mummy blogger. It also sets you up as being an expert in the field and, next time that media outlet wants to do a story on mummy bloggers, they’re more likely to come to you.
- Put a poll on your website or blog or set up a survey. If you gain a significant number of responses to your question, use those results to craft a media release revealing the results.
- Host a major charity event or raise a large amount of money through your blog and donate it to a worthy cause.
- Use the skills you have to create a free class or demonstration for your local community. This allows you the opportunity for a preview story and coverage on the day. And don’t say you don’t have a skill – I read your blogs, remember!
- Enter yourself into state, national and international awards. If you win, it’s an opportunity to gain media exposure. The bigger the award, the greater the chance of a story.
You’re probably thinking these aren’t Madison and Marie Claire worthy stories. The problem with pitching that high (and good on Sunny Mummy!), is there is major competition for the few spots they have each month. I’m not saying don’t pitch to them, but the greatest success you’ll have is with your own local media. You only need a simple PR plan to get started.

Local media love championing their own!

Don’t be deterred pitching to the media because you don’t know how to write a press release. Try a media pitch instead. This is a short letter that’s used as a teaser to your story – it doesn’t give them all the information, but enough for them to want to contact you to learn more.

I’ll wrap this up with three points:
1. You must have news. ie. You’ve just won an award for blogging.
2. You can invent news. ie. Hosting a charity. Although, even more spectacular would be jumping a canyon, a la Evel Knievel.
3. Attach yourself to existing news. ie, … well, just keep your eye on the news!
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July 18, 2011
FEATURE: I have some exciting news…

Julian with Baby Holly and Ella.

DURING my journalism career I had some incredible mentors and people who inspired me. However, there’s one who stood above them all. And I’m not just saying that because we stole a kiss in the office file room. Shhh, don’t tell.

That person is my husband. The father of my two princesses. You know him as The Bloke in The Shed. Yesterday Julian added one more title to his name. He was announced Editor of The Advocate Newspaper and I couldn’t be prouder.

It was inevitable this day would come. He lives and breathes newspapers. On weekends our kitchen table AND the lounge room floor are covered with papers. It near drives me batty at times.

He walks around with his portable radio, ear plugs in, listening to Melbourne radio station 3AW. When you peek over to see what he’s doing on the computer, it’s either a news site or Facebook (where he’s picking up more and more stories these days). Oh, or stupid Supercoach. Really, what is the point of that?

He got the job based on more than passion though. He’s worked hard for it. Right from those early days as a skinny kid (yes, skinny) heading in for work experience every school holidays. It only increased when, out of Year 12, he got his first break. I was fortunate enough to witness the moment he became the paper’s youngest Sports Editor, then Chief of Staff and eventually Deputy Editor.

There’s another factor in the equation too. His family. He’s been brought up surrounded by high achievers. Most of you will have read about his brother, the new CEO of Woolworths. But it doesn’t end there. As the youngest of seven children, he’s surrounded by siblings who have excelled in their chosen professions. And atop them all is a mother who taught them to keep their feet on the ground and a father who showed them the possibilities from sheer hard work. It’s easy to see why it’s been such a natural progression for him.

When it came to this week, let’s just say there was a slight level of stress in the O’Brien household anticipating the interview. Then there was the little fact of some ash cloud causing flights to be cancelled from Tassie to Melbourne – including the one that was to take The Bloke in The Shed to his interview. Slight panic? Yes.

We’re not kidding ourselves. The next six months won’t be easy. Especially because I’m going to have to start doing the ironing myself. The li’l princesses won’t be seeing much of their Dad as he commits himself to getting the paper to where he wants it. For now, the focus will be on quality time with the girls, while quantity just isn’t possible. And, in years to come, that’s what the girls will remember most.

By the way, Julian’s now on Twitter. I know, wonders will never cease. You can follow him at @Julian_OBrien

June 18, 2011
MEDIA: 10 reasons to issue a press release
MANY people would love to gain some media exposure, but struggle with the angle for their press release. The more unique your idea, the better your success. Just announcing you’re launching a business or blog isn’t news – unless it’s something incredibly unique.

There are many ideas out there. Here are 10 to get your started:
1. Keep abreast of the news and be prepared to put yourself forward if a topic ties into your business or blog. You can release a statement with your viewpoint on the news item. For example, statistics have revealed there are now more mummy businesses than women in boardroom positions. This is a perfect opportunity for a mummy business owner to discuss why she chose her own business over the boardroom.
2. Put a poll on your website or blog or set up a survey. If you gain a significant number of responses to your question, use those results to craft a media release revealing the results.
3. Host a major charity event or raise a large amount of money through the product you’re selling and donate it to a worthy cause.
4. If you’re selected to appear or speak at a national event, it’s a great opportunity to promote yourself. Just make sure the event organiser is comfortable with this.
5. Use the skills you have to create a free class or demonstration for your local community. This allows you the opportunity for a preview story and coverage on the day.
6. Enter yourself into state, national and international awards. If you win, it’s an opportunity to gain media exposure. The bigger the award, the greater the chance of a story.
7. A new product release. Just make sure the product is, again, unique.
8. You’re mentioned in someone’s book, an international publication (magazine, newspaper etc) or featured on national television. Just be careful to avoid approaching media outlets about how you appeared in a rival publication – ie, don’t approach a Fairfax newspaper about how you appeared in a News Ltd paper.
9. Someone famous is photographed with your product, mentions it in an interview or comments on your blog. With the web making the world a much smaller place, don’t rule this out.
10. If you receive a grant, scholarship or are selected for an overseas study tour. Local media love championing their own.
This week is the final in the Media Room series here on Three Li’l Princesses. However, don’t despair, the series is now continued on the new Mum PR site dedicated to helping bloggers, small business owners and other organisations pitch their stories, brand or product to the media.
April 13, 2011