Maryanne Emomeri a dedicated professional deeply committed to media relations and advocacy for the disability community, discovered a pivotal opportunity in the Media Relations Training Programme at GSMC. She initially saw it as a chance to hone her skills and amplify the voices of people with disabilities. What she didn't anticipate, however, was the profound transformation it would bring to her understanding of media engagement.
Prior to the training, Maryanne's perception of media relations largely revolved around pushing narratives and securing coverage. Yet, as she delved into the comprehensive curriculum, she uncovered a more nuanced truth: effective media engagement transcends mere visibility; it's about cultivating authentic relationships. "I learned that media relations isn’t just about getting coverage; it’s about creating meaningful connections with the right people," she shared.
A significant revelation for Maryanne was recognizing that media professionals are not simply gatekeepers, but individuals with their own interests and priorities. This shift in perspective led her to approach them not as a means to an end, but as partners in storytelling. "Understanding that media professionals have their own interests and needs helped me craft better, more impactful messages," she explained. This realization fundamentally reshaped her interactions with journalists, enabling her to frame stories in ways that genuinely resonated with their perspectives.
Opinion writing emerged as another particularly valuable skill for Maryanne. Always keen to articulate the experiences and challenges faced by the disability community with greater impact, the training provided her with the essential tools to do so. "I’ve already started writing opinion pieces, and I feel more confident in getting my message across effectively," she stated. The course also equipped her with insights into tailoring media messages, strategically timing press interactions, and identifying the ideal journalists for specific stories.
The program's facilitators played a crucial role in Maryanne's learning journey. Their instruction was not merely theoretical but grounded in extensive real-world industry experience. The culminating capstone project, which mandated the practical application of acquired knowledge, solidified her understanding and instilled the confidence needed to implement these skills in her professional endeavors.
Reflecting on the experience, Maryanne views the training as a definitive turning point in her media relations trajectory. She now approaches media engagement with a newfound sense of strategy and purpose. For other professionals contemplating the program, her advice is concise: "Be open-minded. This course goes beyond the basics and makes you see that there’s so much more to learn if you choose to."
For Maryanne, this wasn't just another training; it was an eye-opening journey that has irrevocably altered her approach to communication and advocacy for a cause she deeply champions.
