cc: , , "Ian Dwyer" , "Lesley Tracey" , "Marion O'Sullivan" , "Sheila Anderson" date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 15:53:38 +0100 from: "Ursula Edmunds" subject: Tyndall Centre launch to: ** High Priority ** ** Reply Requested When Convenient ** Dear Annie Thought I'd better touch base about media strategy for launch of Tyndall Centre. I believe you and Mike Hulme have been liaising and that you are happy to take the lead regarding the media operations. This is my understanding of the plan so far: Local/regional coverage You will be producing a story for the local/regional media re the links with John Tyndall. National media You are awaiting science stories from NERC /Tyndall Centre partners (via Mike Hulme) , EPSRC and ESRC for a national Press Release (on Tyndall Centre headed paper?). When you have put it together I'll get it cleared on behalf of NERC, EPSRC and ESRC. Mike has told me of two potential stories: - A new analysis of rates of global warming per country. - A survey involving local organisations about the implications of climate change for the Norfolk Broads. I am awaiting stories from EPSRC and ESRC. Other potential stories/photo opportunities Not much gives yet on the content of Michael Meacher's speech. I understand from Mike that Tony Blair is giving a speech about the environment (next week?) which might makes things clearer. I presume that you are liaising with DETR Press Office/COI Regional Office about media strategy for Michael Meacher's participation in Tyndall Centre launch. I have spoken to Michael Meacher's diary secretary about his arrival/departure times. He is due to arrive at Norwich station at 11.22 am on the 9 November, and needs to get the 13.40 train back to London. There is a proposal to meet him at the station (and take him back) in a new petrol/electric hybrid car developed by Toyota. I think there is some connection with UMIST re research. I don't know if Mr Meacher or his advisers will go for this ( Ian Dwyer and I are checking it out from this end). But if he does it might provide some good photo opportunities for media. Mike tells me that the live webcast of the afternoon 'Any Questions'/debate session is still planned. If so, we should get as much advance publicity for that as possible. Timings/Embargoes Have you had any more thoughts on this? Please see next item. We are going to have to get an operational note out, and some advance publicity for the Internet broadcast by the 30 October, I would have thought. A Press Release with science stories should go out (with embargo) by 3 November, to allow time for filming by broadcast media. Do you think that is OK/too late? I have no idea how the guest list is looking. Any replies from media people? Fid you get names of Foreign Press in London? Current media coverage/interest Mike tells me that his feature article in New Scientist is scheduled for publication the week before the launch, i.e. 2 November. From what I can gather it doesn't include any of the stories that we are investigating for the launch. New Scientist will probably want a news update for the week of the launch, i.e. Thursday 9 November, which means that they won't be able to use anything if a Press Release is embargoed until the start of the event (10.30 am). The more I think about it, the more I favour an embargo of 00.01 on Thursday (9 November, which means that BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme and Breakfast TV can use something. It also means that national newspapers will be able to run stories on 9 November - ahead of the official opening. Depends how vital it is to get national print and broadcast media to Norwich for the event. I have spoken to BBC TV News Environment Producer (Emil Petrie), He is looking for items for broadcast before the Hague climate change meeting, but no dates for transmission yet. I thought the Norfolk Broads angle might be good. Not sure if there is anything fantastic to film at the launch. Could you or Mike have a chat with Emil please, a.s.a,p ? His tel no is 020 8624 9058. I have said we'd send him an invite to the event - one might have already gone out to Environment Correspondent, Margaret Gilmore. Can't think of anything else from this end. Look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Ursula NERC Communications 19 October 2000