20 Points to enhance your media coverage of poverty issues (.pdf file)
Order Dougmeyer's Media Book
Click here to see a list of Doug's clients and accomplishments

Today, more than ever, getting your message to the public is important for the very survival of your organization. However, there is an increasing number of non-profit groups competing for limited space in the print media and restricted time in the electronic media.

If you don't have a media specialist on staff, or if that person is stretched too thin, maintaining contact with the media and the failure to get information to them in a timely manner may mean the loss of public awareness of your issues. In the larger picture, it also may mean the loss of important funding opportunities for your group.

With Dobmeyer Communications you have a professional from the non-profit field to assist you in the areas of training, planning and implementing contact with the media.

Services Available from Dobmeyer Communications

Many media specialists have no experience in the non-profit world, yet they may promise you a solution from their "one size fits all" shelf of services.

At Dobmeyer Communications, we do have the experience and can tailor the service we provide to fit your specific needs.

We will meet with you to plan the best way to handle your media needs and establish a timeline to accomplish the plan.

Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Full-service media work on issues, campaigns, events
• Consultation on media planning
• Media mentoring for individuals and organizations
• Media training for individuals and organizations
• Media services to grantees of foundations

Whether you need assistance in planning a press conference, writing a press release or setting up your own media function, Dobmeyer Communications is at your service.

Doug Dobmeyer

Doug was the founder of Lakefront SRO corporation. He has served as executive director of six Chicago-based non-profit groups. As a Chicago Community Trust Community Service Fellow and a Fellow at Loyola University of Chicago, he has been involved in researching, teaching, writing and training.

As a journalist and author, he published, Poverty Issues...Dateline Illinois for six years. He also wrote a political column for Streetwise, reported on Illinois Statehouse issues for a web-based wire service and contributed to other publications. He has also written a media book for non-profit organizations, Competing Successfully for Media Coverage. Doug has more than 30-years as an activist and leader in the non-profit arena in Chicago and Illinois. He is constantly in touch with many organizations and has an extensive network of contacts in both the print and electronic media regionally, many of whom consistently use materials from his clients.

Call using the information to the left, or click to send an Email here.

Dobmeyer Communications has assisted a diverse group of non-profit organizations. A list follows. References are available upon request.

Media Work Done for Clients

Over the past ten years Dobmeyer Communications has helped many clients communicate their stories to the public through the media.

One group wanted to publicize a sex education survey in public schools outside of Cook County. At press conferences simultaneously held in three Illinois cities, 21 outlets including the Associated Press, television, radio and major regional papers all covered that survey release.

Or when a local man diverted to Canada on 9/11 wanted the story of a reunion concert told, Dobmeyer Communications arranged for media coverage with print, TV and radio outlets.

Other examples of statewide and Chicago coverage on the Earned Income Tax Credit work in Illinois. Or another group wanting to organize state legislative hearings on workforce development issues they came to Dobmeyer Communications to both organize the hearings and the resultant media work.

Another person wanting to finish the video about her mother and the story of the destruction of Lidice, The Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) and its people by the Nazis asked me to get the media coverage to finish the project editing. A Chicago Tribune feature piece in Woman News soon followed.

These are examples of the stories I've been instrumental in arranging coverage for. The following details of what Dobmeyer Communications did for clients and can do for you:

• AFTRA - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists: Filled in for a publicist who had emergency surgery. Handled a press conference and helped formulate a strategy regarding the issue of Telemundo (Channel 44) employees not being part of the NBC union after their purchase by NBC. Outcome: Had extensive coverage of the issue with print, radio and TV.
• Amnesty International, Chicago Office: Handled general media for the Chicago office for two years. Included creating strategies and general media on human rights issues. Outcomes: Generally had excellent media coverage with Chicago media.
• Amnesty International, Washington Office: Handled death penalty media on a national level for approximately six months while AI was hiring a permanent person. Media efforts were concentrated in states where executions were scheduled. Outcomes: Generally had good coverage. New Mexican coverage was especially good.
• Bethel New Life: Did general media for this community development group. Provided strategy development on issues. Outcomes: Generally good media coverage on issues and better media positioning for Bethel.
• Black Star Project: Did media on three seminars on higher education for African-American students. Outcomes: Received limited media coverage in several outlets.
• Capitol Fax/Rich Miller: Wrote guest columns for several years on state issues. Represented Rich when his column was dropped by the Illinois Newspaper Association when he was in Europe. Outcomes: Successful placement of media on his column issue and the guest columns were well received.
• Cathedral Shelter: Developed a profile of the executive director for a media story. Outcome: Secured a profile story in the Chicago Tribune.
• Center for Economic Policy Analysis: In 1996 Conducted research and wrote two brochures, LEGISLATIVE ACTION . . . AND YOUR ISSUE and MEDIA AND ADVOCACY IN A CHANGING WORLD for the Chicago based Center for Economic Policy Analysis and the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. Outcomes: The brochures were used by disabled people in Connecticut.
• Center for Law & Human Services/Center for Economic Progress: For several years (1995-98 and 2001-2003) developed and executed statewide and Chicago coverage on the Earned Income Tax Credit work in Illinois. Later work also included other tax related issues. Outcomes: Extensive local and statewide media coverage on EITC operations and issues. Coverage included Crain's, Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times and the Defender.
• Central Metropolitan Baptist Association: Developed and distributed a release on Cabrini-Green redevelopment. Outcomes: Received limited media attention.
• CESO: Developed a media plan and did media for their "Back to School" drive for supplies for homeless kids. Outcomes: They used the media plan and materials for the school drive.
• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Developed, strategized and executed various press conferences on the Contract with America, welfare issues as they affected homelessness. Outcomes: Generally good coverage of their events.
• Chicago Institute on Urban Poverty/TIA: Handled several reports they released to the public on poverty issues in the Chicago area. Outcomes: Good coverage of the issues.
• Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund: As a board member strategized on various media issues regarding low-income housing. Helped produce a short video on CLIHTF's work. Outcomes: On efforts made some good media was produced. The video produced by the City was a good product.
• City/County Task Force on Welfare Reform: Did research and some media work in conjunction with Valerie Denney Communications and several foundations. Outcomes: Three booklets were produced that reflected my work on this project.
• Coalition to Protect Public Housing: Developed, strategized, provided media training and produced a variety of media concerning the efforts of public housing residents to preserve their housing following the destruction of the existing CHA buildings. Outcomes: Generally good media on statements, press conferences and organizational positioning for the media.
• The Collected Image: Developed a strategy for media coverage to help finish the video about a family and friends and the story of the destruction of Lidice, The Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) and its people by the Nazis. Outcome: A Chicago Tribune feature piece in Woman News was published.
• Common Cause of Illinois: Did media for the organization from 1995-1996. Served as the Interim Executive Director from 1996-1997. Outcomes: Very extensive media on "good government" , campaign finance and ethics issues in Chicago and Springfield.
• Community Alliance for Training and Education: Did organizing and media work for certain state legislation. Events got cancelled after the planning. Later did work on city budget issues. Outcomes: State events were aborted, the city events proceeded.
• Community Media Workshop: Produced several sessions in a series on media issues. Assisted in developing the Community News Project for the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Researched and wrote several sections of the book for media for the CNP. During the convention, produced 20 TV interviews on poverty issues. Outcomes: Excellent for all events for CMW.
• Community Renewal Society: In 1995 developed and produced an analysis of how proposed welfare changes will impact Chicago's neighborhoods. The report, Chicago Endangered: The Impact of Federal and State Welfare Changes on Chicago's Neighborhoods. Also handled the media on the release of the report. Outcomes: Excellent coverage of the report and issues.
• Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions: Handled various media on peace issues, an annual dinner and related issues for CPWR over several years. Participated in a conference on immigration in Berlin, Germany for CPWR. Planning media coverage for their world congress in Barcelona, Spain in 2004. Outcomes: Good coverage on all events.
• Dan Burke: Developed a strategy for pre and event coverage of a reunion and concert of people returning from the UK and stranded in Newfoundland, Canada on 9/11. Also developed the involvement of the Canadian Consulate at the concert in Oak Park. Outcomes: Excellent coverage by print, radio and TV locally and in Canada.
• Day Care Action Council of Illinois: Provided statewide media lists. Also did Springfield based media for their efforts to secure more funds for child care in Illinois. Outcomes: Excellent media coverage on the issue in Springfield.
• Death Sentence 2000: Developed a media plan, strategy, press conference for a meeting of a 1,000 people in Evanston opposed to the death penalty. Outcomes: Had excellent media coverage from print, radio and TV pre and for the event. Joe Monahan, Chair of Death Sentence 2000 said, "Thank you, for the wonderful job that you did in creating our media strategy and putting together our media action plan for Dearth Sentence 2000."
• Family Resource Center: Strategized and performed general media work for a non-profit adoption agency regarding Russian and Chinese adoptions. Outcomes: Good coverage on issues handled.
• Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health: Developed a statewide media agenda to publicize a sex education survey in public schools outside of Cook County. Organized press conferences simultaneously held in three Illinois (Carbondale, Springfield Galesburg) and cities, 21 outlets including the Associated Press, television, radio and major regional papers all covered that survey release.
• Haymarket House: Did the media for a conference on addictions. Outcomes: A short planning time produced limited media coverage.
• Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty: Did general media for the coalition during 2000-2001. Served as the Executive Director during 2001. Outcomes: Had extensive media coverage during the early Ryan moratorium period.
• Illinois Hunger Coalition: Did media for several hearings on hunger issues held at a west side church. Outcomes: We had limited coverage of the events.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Protection: Did their general media and on specific issues for several years. Developed a media plan and did media training. Position ICIRP as a key media source on these issues. Outcomes: Excellent coverage of issues and ICIRP got positioned as a the key source for reporters.
• Illinois Migrant Council: Housing consultant to IMC from 1998 - 2002. Developed and conducted several housing surveys in four parts of Illinois, worked with Rural Development on several housing forums, wrote proposals, developed and received three years of funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for a rental subsidy program for migrant farm workers. Also did some media work on specific issues regarding farm workers. Outcomes: The surveys were done and IHDA funded the project for three years.
• Jewish Council on Urban Affairs: Assisted with media training for those working General Assistance issues. Outcomes: The people were trained to speak to the media.
• Lakefront SRO Corporation: In partnership with Valerie Denney Communication did media on the opening of a new SRO building in Uptown. Outcomes: We generated good media coverage of the event.
• League of Women Voters of Illinois: Did media on campaign finance reform. On-line voters guide and several forums. Outcomes: Good coverage on the events.
• Lincoln Park Shelter: In 1997 designed and conducted a written survey and interviews on social service needs in the Lincoln Park community of Chicago. Outcomes: Wrote a final report with recommendations that resulted in the shelter hiring a full time social worker.
• National Association of Local Government Auditors: Organized and developed a media panel of Chicago media people for their conference in Chicago. Outcomes: The panels was well received.
• National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling: Did a variety of strategy and media work on issues. Outcomes: NCLG was better positioned with the media on this issue.
• National Council on Compulsive Gambling: Did media for two conferences over several years - in Chicago and Las Vegas. The conferences covered both general and technical scientific findings by a research doctor on blood markers indicating compulsive behavior. The Las Vegas conference included daily faxes of the day's events. Outcomes: Excellent coverage in both cities of the issues.
• National Center for Poverty Law: Did media for them while they were looking for a permanent media staff person. Handled some news conferences and issue statements. Outcomes: There issues were covered and NCPL was better positioned as a source with the media.
• Native American Educational Services: Did some research on American Indian issues for their grant writer. Outcomes: Information was provided to NAES for their use.
• Operation PUSH/US Representative Maxine Waters: Developed a media strategy and helped develop a demonstration. Represented Rep. Waters with a banking issue of Bank One imposing a $3 fee for customers talking to a teller. Outcomes: Extensive media coverage of the demonstration and her appearance.
• Protestants for the Common Good: Developed and produced several releases on events, including a speech by William Sloan Coffin and Cardinal Bernadin's death. Outcomes: Several news stories on PCG's work. Real Benefits: As a current client developing a media strategy for a new computer program that screens low-income people for social benefits. Outcomes: Pending
• Religious Task Force to Oppose Increased Legalized Gambling/Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling in Chicago: As a board leader organized public policy, surveys, a poll and media events and positions. Outcomes: Over a period of several years we had extensive coverage of our position on the issues. Retired US Senator Paul Simon remarked, "Your Chicago Tribune op-ed piece on casino gambling was superb."
• Jim Nowlan/Alternative State Budget: Provided strategy input and a list of names and organizations to hem for the budget project. Outcomes: Still pending.
• Ramonda Mikotavage/book: Did media on a book on immigration for a book expo. Outcomes: Secured coverage by four print and TV outlets.
• Rudy Mueller/Book: Did some limited media for a book he wrote on the American medical system. Outcomes: There was some media and others is still pending.
• St. Scholastica: Wrote and edited their parent newsletter 4-6 times a school year. Also provided ongoing media advice on various issues of same sex education. Developed contact with US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky as a commencement speaker. Outcomes: The events and the newsletter was a success.
• State Agenda for Community Economic Development: Developed a media strategy and organized (secured witnesses, the agenda, liaison with committee chair) two state legislative hearings (Springfield and Chicago) on workforce development issues. Outcomes: Extensive media coverage in Springfield and Chicago media markets.
• Thresholds: Strategized and developed some media for a plan to expand buildings into a new neighborhood of Chicago. Outcome: They secured the new project, but lost the government funding.
• Wonda Vertison: Represented an African-American mother during the trial of her son for murder in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She contended he could not get a fair trial in that city due to racism and pre-trial publicity. Outcome: Obtained a front page article before the trial and TV coverage, At the end of the trial held a press conference reinforcing her views. The son was found guilty after a very questionable trial before an all-white jury.
• Whirlwind: Represented for several years with the release of several studies and general coverage of their education work. Outcome: Obtained coverage in Crain's, Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, Defender, Illinois Issues, radio and TV stations.

Other Issues:

• School busing - Problems of kids being picked up for Oscar Mayer School
• Rwanda - Problems of people being killed in that African nation
• Cancer bike ride - Did media for some people riding to raise money for research
• Death Penalty - A leading spokesperson in the abolition of the death penalty
• Gambling - A leading opponent to state sanctioned gambling in the United States
• Obituaries - Developed and placed several obituaries for people over the years
• Homelessness - A leading spokesperson in Chicago as a staff person and board leader
• Public Welfare Coalition: Welfare - A veteran of extensive local, regional and national media while an agency director. This continued after leaving in May, 1994.
• KKK - Handled media in opposing a Ku Lux Klan rally at the State House in Springfield
• Washburne Trade School - Handled extended media opposing the plan to close Washburne Trade School and a resulting federal lawsuit
• Currency Exchanges - led organizing opposition

Journalism Work: (1996-present)

• Statehouse correspondent for City News USA, Publisher of State News Service, spring 2000
• Political and social issues columnist (On Issue column) for Streetwise newspaper, Chicago, 1998-2001
• Publisher of Poverty Issues...Dateline Illinois, a twice-monthly fax/e-mail news briefing (1996-2001)
• Chair (1999), Editorial Chair (1999-Present) and Board member of the Illinois Editorial Forum, an affiliate of the Washington, D.C. based American Forum that is dedicated to formulating and distributing op/ed pieces to print and electronic media in Illinois, 1997-present;

Author of:

Media Coverage of Public Policy Issues in Illinois - 1998

Don't just complain...20 steps to improving MEDIA Coverage of poverty issues - 1995

Competing Successfully for Media Coverage, a 56 page book for non-profits working with the media -1996

AWARDS:

• Recipient of the first Community Fellowship, Center for Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University of Chicago for 1998-1999;
• Recipient of one of three Chicago Community Trust Community Service Fellowships for 1994-1995;
• Recipient of the 1991 Advocacy Award from the Interfaith Council for the Homeless;
• Co-Recipient of the 1988 Civic Contribution Award of the League of Women Voters of Chicago; and
• Recipient of 1986 volunteer award from the North Side Community Federal Credit Union.