Entertaining. Educational. Easy-to-Understand. Practical. Hands-on.

These are a few words that 30 public relations executives and Managers used to describe the Press Release Writing Workshop at Campuskini.

Coached by senior editors, like Steven Gan (Founder and Editor of MalaysiaKini) and senior journalists, they were taught how to write newsworthy press releases and the best way to pitch them to editors.

The participants from blue chip companies to SME companies attended this course the one day workshop. They came from Organizations like Tenaga Nasional, Malakoff Corp, Sapura Group, Sunway Group, Essence Burson-Marsteller and HELP University.

International and experienced journalist M.Krishnamoorthy who coached the participants by projecting various group’s press release drafts and correcting them on the board said the exercise was practical and educational as they noted in their evaluations.

Sunway International School assistant manager Marketing and Communications said: “No regrets of spending my Saturday to attend Mr Krishna’s sharing session. I have learned that writing is not difficult and how to properly angle the press release with media in mind, what ticks and what doesn’t. After this workshop, I am really inspired to write more.

“The session was hands on and useful. I am now able to understand from the media point of view and press releases that would appeal to the media. Thanks for sharing your experience, notes and the simple way on how to write press releases,” she said in her evaluation.

Bar Council’s Anneliz George said: “Thanks for taking time off on Saturday to conduct the course. The importance of bringing a press release a as a key component of this course was well highlighted.

Sunway Properties Lydia Thong added that the workshop was very beneficial for first timers. “Additionally, it also served as a good session as a refresher course for those in the communications industry. Krishna was hands on and case studies were well discussed during the workshop. Lessons conducted was witty and entertaining. Bravo!”

Alliance For Financial Inclusion strategic communications writer Chareen Lo remarked: “It was taught in a very practical way to get the newsworthy angle. Trainer is experience and well connected but humble and kind hearted. Well planned in administration and logistics. Different activities in the class was well used to break the monotony of the training which was very effective.”

The participants also actively participated in the interactive workshop and learned the best ways to garner better publicity for their organization on how to write effective and winning press releases.
HELP University’s deputy director corporate communications Juliet Chan said: “The workshop was good and served as a practical refresher course from a journalist who is willing and passionate to share his knowledge and experience with others.” She noted that three other speakers at the session provided variety to the course.

Her colleage from HELP University, David Thye said: “This workshop is interactive, everyone had a chance to share ideas in the making of an excellent press release.”

Essence Burson-Marsteller Public Relations executive Liyana Binti Ahmed Rasly said: “What I loved most about the training is that it was informative and insightful. It taught us a lot about how press releases should be written and how we could write it in a way that would appeal to the media.
“The training also taught us how to enhance our media relations and things to consider when dealing with pitching to the media. Overall it was an informative session.

Her colleague Annisa Mustika added that the workshop really simplified the process in press release writing from editorial’s perspective. “This actually helps the PR practitioners in managing the expectations from both sides, deliverables/key messages from clients and at the same time making it relevant and newsworthy for the media.

“The session with Krishna is entertaining and as we had fun learning discussion and practise. It really helped us to spot the mistakes and make the corrections. This way we immediately understand our mistakes.”

Former Astro’s TV host Pooja Saini said that the workshop provided a good platform to learn, understand and served as lessons on how to write newsworthy press releases. “It was fun and provided a good opportunity to network among the participants.”