About the Press Room
Read more about the mission of the Tennessee Press Room.
Story Idea Criteria
Find out if your story is eligible for a News Bureau press release.
PR Tutorial
This section provides some guidelines and tips for good media relations.
What makes a good news release
Getting your story out
Interview
techniques
Photography, video and logos
Key
relationships
Submit A Press Release
If you have a story idea, fill out our online form or copy and paste a press release.
Tennessee's tourism articles are now online!
To view the most recent clippings,
go to: BurrellesLuce.
Partners
may contact Tara Leurs for
log-in credentials.
Story Idea Criteria
The Department of Tourist Development News Bureau will assume two primary operating functions: news production and news distribution. Specifically, the News Bureau will:
- Systematically and constantly monitor the national and regional news media for editorial opportunities.
- Package and expedite news, story angles and targeted pitches.
- Operate in real time, and be staffed by a team of seasoned professionals who know what the media want and how to deliver it.
- Become a media resource for news, quote-worthy sources, relevant photography and graphics support.
- Incorporate an electronic component for daily e-mailed messages and “breaking” news distribution.
What is news? To generate media stories, we must provide the media with real news with unique and unusual content that will be of interest to their readers and viewers. The following questions may come in handy when determining what news is:
- Is it a multi county or regional event or attraction?
- Does the event draw tourists from 150 or more miles?
- Is it unique and different- does it draw the reader in?
- Is it an event or attraction that other communities don't have?
- Non-traditional tourism stories
- Has there been a large addition or upgrade to an existing major attraction?
- Is there a new major hotel, resort or attraction in your region?
- Are you hosting a new event or celebration?
- Do thousands of hunters or fishermen descend upon your area at certain points in the year?
- Businesses that attract large numbers of tourists
- Area attractions
- Grand opening of a new aquarium in your region
- Record breaking attendance at an area attraction
- Specialty shops – shops that offer unique products or services
- Quilting stores that specialize in one-of-a-kind fabrics
- Sporting goods stores that offer the most fishing lures in the state
- Bakeries
- Does your bakery ship delicious goodies all across the country?
- Does your bakery offer unique Tennessee treats?
- Shopping Centers/Outlet Stores
- Is your shopping center famous for the number of tourists that visit annually?
- Is there a unique store opening in your center?
- Flea markets
- The 127th Corridor 450 Mile Yard Sale
- Is your flea market hosting a themed holiday event?
- Events that attract large crowds
- Bonnaroo
- Memphis in May
- River Stages
- Festivals
- Seasonal stories
- Is May the month of 50 strawberry festivals in your region?
- Is there an amazing Independence Day celebration in your area?
- Do you have a unique winter festival?
- Is there a unique fundraiser associated with an upcoming holiday celebration?
- Trend Stories
- Growth of specific areas in your region (shopping outlets, antique stores, etc.)
- Heritage tourism on the rise
- Center for family tourism (growth of children's attractions)
- Growth of pop music in Nashville
- Personality profiles
- Stories about movers and shakers in your region that would be of interest to tourists
- Industry staff changes
