Renna Communications
Media Training
Talking with the media is unlike any other kind type of discussion. It is somewhere between having a casual conversation and testifying in court. There is simply no other experience like it and to conduct an interview without preparation is inviting disaster.
We are experts at media training not just because we know the “top ten tips for how to talk to journalists” – but also because we have been in the hot seat ourselves. We have spoken in front of the microphone and the camera, we have talked with journalists on background, we have provided journalists what they need to get their jobs done, and we have successfully framed coverage of complex stories on our clients’ behalf.
One of our Managing Partners, Cathy Renna, has almost two decades of experience as a media trainer and a media spokesperson. She literally “wrote the book” that the media advocacy group, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, uses to media train activists throughout the country. Cathy has personally trained thousands of individuals in group and individual media training consultations. In addition, Cathy has appeared as a media spokesperson on Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Hannity and Colmes, the O’Reilly Factor and numerous other radio and television broadcasts.
Our media trainings prepare you to give dynamic and on-point interviews, to handle intense reporters, to be prepared for the “hard” questions, to be confident that you will be able to tell your story effectively and – when necessary – to debate your adversaries.
- Post to:
- digg
- del.icio.us
Report: LGBT Youth and Smoking
Julie Bolcer | Advocate.com | August 25, 2010
Everyone knows that insecurities and peer pressure make teenagers susceptible to tobacco use, but in the case of LGBT youths, it has long been suspected that the unique challenges associated with having a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity heighten their smoking risk. For the first time, a new survey explores the links between the stress of antigay discrimination and teenage tobacco use and suggests improved prevention strategies.
New study examines young LGBT smokers
Hannah Clay Wareham | Bay Windows | August 24, 2010
A new report from the National LGBTQ Young Adult Tobacco Project, entitled “Coming Out About Smoking: Tobacco Use in the LGBTQ Young Adult Community” and released Aug. 24, revealed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young adults have higher rates of smoking than their heterosexual peers. Results indicated that the disparity could be due to the added pressure and stress gay teens experience as a result of anti-LGBT discrimination at school and at home.
Marine Corps Commandant Signals Last Days of Gay Ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: L. Indra Lusero, Assistant Director, Palm Center, 303-902-9402, info@palmcenter.ucsb.edu
Cathy Renna, cathy@rennacommunications.com, 917-757-6123
Marine Corps Commandant Signals Last Days of Gay Ban
Marine Corps Would Not Obstruct New, Inclusive Policy
SANTA BARBARA, CA — August 25, 2010 — Remarks made yesterday at a Pentagon briefing by Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway signal the removal of one of the final hurdles to the implementation of openly gay service and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Commandant Conway stated that “if the law changes, we pride our Corps in leading the services in many, many things, and we’re going to have to lead in this too.”
Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin stated, “Commandant Conway’s words are powerful. He has not been supportive of this change but he has now made clear that once the law is changed, the Marine Corps will set the pace for implementation of open service without delay.”
Moving the middle on marriage
Lanae Erickson and Jon Cowan |“Politico::http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41214.html | August 19, 2010
This month, a federal district court judge in California struck down Proposition 8 — the state ballot measure that banned gay and lesbian couples from marrying — as unconstitutional, and the case is most likely to be settled by the Supreme Court. Although the decision has been stayed, many understandably saw it as a victory and perhaps an indication that legal arguments — not public persuasion — are going to be the fastest way to bring about equality.
But lawsuits are not a substitute for public support, and legal arguments do not operate in a vacuum. This decision makes it all the more crucial to build a solid majority of Americans who strongly support the full range of legal relationship recognition, including allowing gay couples to marry.
In our view, there are three essential steps to moving the persuadable middle.
Active Duty Gay Troops Helping Pentagon Prepare For Life After ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Pentagon Leaders Advised to Expect “Business as Usual” After Repeal
OutServe | July 26, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA – July 26, 2010 — Gay and lesbian service members are organizing themselves in order to help the Pentagon prepare for life after “don’t ask, don’t tell.” This week, they are publicly launching OutServe (formerly known as Citizens for Repeal), the first-ever organization of actively serving gay troops and they have started speaking openly with Pentagon officials as well as public audiences. For information about the group go to www.outserve.org
