Webinar and Q&A: Pitching a Relevant Story in the Wake of Trying Times

Five months into 2020 we’ve seen political scandals, global conflicts, a pandemic, and devastating human loss. As a result, the media is moving faster than ever and reporters are inundated with requests. Many small businesses struggle to adapt their strategies to these news cycles: is your news relevant in the midst of a global crisis? How do you land a pitch when a global event is dominating the headlines?

That’s why Switchboard Public Relations (Switchboard) is presenting “Pandemics, Recessions, and Trump: Pitching a Relevant Story in the Wake of Trying Times”, led by Switchboard’s Founder and Managing Director, Kathleen Reid and Daily Hive Editor-in-Chief and Partner, Farhan Mohamed. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, Kathleen and Farhan will discuss:

• Why media relations should be a part of your communications plan
• How a critical event or global crisis changes the media landscape
• Best practices for contacting a busy journalist
• Ensuring your story is relevant and sensitive regardless of the news cycle

In lieu of fees, we are asking participants to donate what they can to Food Banks Canada to support those struggling to find meals during these tough times.

The presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A period where participants can ask questions related to their businesses.

About Kathleen Reid

Kathleen is the Founder and Managing Director of Switchboard, a team of consultants with expertise in communications strategy, crisis management, copywriting, media relations, event management and more. She is proud to have completed projects with companies and organizations like Grow, Goatsocial, Global Mobile and the BC Tech Association. Kathleen is an active member of Vancouver’s non-profit community. She sits on the advisory board for Educating Girls of Rural China and is a board member for City in Focus. Switchboard is also a member of the BC Tech Association and the Canadian Public Relations Society. Kathleen regularly gives her time speaking on various panels and at conferences in the tech community across BC, including Vancouver Startup Week, Launch Academy, Accelerate Okanagan, and Spring, a local accelerator for impact companies. When Kathleen isn’t at work, one can find her keeping her finger on the pulse of Vancouver’s startup scene and enjoying BC’s beautiful hiking trails with her dog, Hogan.

Twitter - @kathleenreid_

Instagram - @kathleen.reid

LinkedIn - Kathleen Reid

About Farhan Mohamed

A born and raised Vancouverite, Farhan Mohamed joined Daily Hive (formerly Vancity Buzz) in 2012 while the company was still in its infancy. He saw an opportunity to fill the void between traditional media and blogs, and connect locals, share untold stories, and celebrate the community. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief and a partner of what has become one of the largest digital media publications in Canada. Today, he leads the company's Editorial team, which is comprised of journalists, editors, videographers, and content creators. In an effort to bridge the gap between people in power and the general public, Farhan has used his platform to host dialogues with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the YPO Edge conference, Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh, John Horgan, Chip Wilson, and Seth Rogen, to name a few. Ahead of British Columbia's 2018 municipal elections, he conceptualized and hosted a live mayoral debate between the City of Vancouver’s top contenders. Farhan has been named in Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 as one of the most influential people in Vancouver along with his business partners. In the last two years, Daily Hive acquired Colony Digital, a full service digital agency, as well as Torontoist, an established Toronto publication, and started an influencer agency - leading to the company’s ranking as the 38th fastest growing company in Canada by Canadian Business in 2019. Farhan has a BBA from Capilano University and has also been a longtime volunteer within Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community.

Twitter - @farhanmohamed

Instagram - @farhanmohamed

LinkedIn - Farhan Mohamed

About Switchboard

We help innovators, technologists and change makers create positive change by driving communication strategies that get results. We are a full-service agency offering media relations, issues management, content creation, and stakeholder relations. We leverage the communication tactics needed to meet our agreed-upon KPIs. Switchboard has offices in Vancouver, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta, with consultants across Canada and a dedicated network of agency partners. We bring together the best and brightest project team for each client’s needs. We’re connectors, problem solvers and storytellers. Quite simply, we know how to get the job done.

Website - switchboardpr.com

Twitter - @Switchboard_PR

Facebook - Switchboard PR

Instagram - @Switchboard_PR

LinkedIn - Switchboard Public Relations

About Daily Hive

Daily Hive is a Canadian-born online news source, established in 2008, that creates compelling, hyperlocal content. Daily Hive embraces the unique qualities that exist in a city, and reports it to produce genuine conversation among communities. With unique thematic channels, such as Dished, Mapped, and Urbanized, Daily Hive delivers top-tier information to its local audience and advertisers in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Seattle, and Portland.

Website - dailyhive.com

Twitter - @DailyHiveVan

Facebook - Daily Hive Vancouver

Instagram - @dailyhivevancouver

LinkedIn - Daily Hive