Stakeholder Management

Media Contact Record for Nonprofits

By: Alec Hollingsworth

Updated:

July 16, 2025

Definition:

A Media Contact Record is a comprehensive profile storing information on journalists and outlets important to a nonprofit’s media relations strategy.

A Media Contact Record for nonprofits is a detailed profile that stores key information about journalists, media outlets, bloggers, and influencers relevant to an organization’s mission. It typically includes contact details, communication preferences, past interactions, coverage history, and notes about interests or beats. Maintaining comprehensive media contact records allows nonprofits to efficiently manage media outreach, track relationship progress, and personalize pitches. This organized data helps in building stronger media relationships and securing better coverage for campaigns, events, or impact stories. By centralizing information, nonprofits reduce the risk of duplicating efforts or losing valuable connections, and ensure consistent and timely communication with their media network.

Key Takeaways

Centralizes key data for each media contact
Supports targeted and effective outreach
Tracks communication history and outcomes
Reduces duplicated efforts

Why It Matters

It streamlines media outreach and strengthens relationships to boost nonprofit visibility.

Real World Example

Imagine a nonprofit launching an awareness campaign for environmental conservation. Their communications manager uses a Media Contact Record to store details about journalists covering environmental issues, including their preferred topics, recent articles, and contact preferences. When sending out press releases, the manager tailors messages based on each journalist's interests, referencing past coverage or interactions. Later, the manager logs follow-up conversations and notes which journalists expressed interest. This organized approach ensures that the right stories reach the right media contacts, improving the likelihood of coverage and fostering long-term relationships that benefit future campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information should be included in a media contact record?

It should include names, titles, contact details, organization, communication preferences, notes on interests, and a history of past interactions or coverage.

How do media contact records benefit nonprofits?

They help nonprofits streamline outreach, personalize pitches, and maintain long-term relationships with journalists for greater visibility.

Can Keela help manage media contact records?

Yes, Keela enables nonprofits to organize, segment, and track all media contacts, supporting more effective and efficient media engagement.

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