Media Relations/Story Ideas - The Northwest Office of Communications is committed to meeting the editorial needs of local, regional and national media. Office hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Director of Communications serves as the official spokesperson for the college. News inquiries by media are to be directed to the Communications Office. Please direct media requests to Communications at 662.562.3274 or e-mail Communications Director, Sarah Sapp, at ssapp@northwestms.edu for a prompt reply.
Public Relations - Information about Northwest is mailed or e-mailed to newspapers, radio and television stations in the college's 11-county district, Tupelo, Memphis and Jackson. Material must be received in the Communications Office by Wednesday of each week. An estimated timetable for publicity is two weeks prior to an event and immediately following an event (not more than one week after it has taken place). Press releases are also posted at the online newsroom on the college's Web site.
Special Events Coverage - The Communications Office provides coverage of special events on campus for academic, student activity, athletic and fine art programs and groups. At least one week prior notice is required for coverage of a special event. The Communications Office assists with Homecoming, building dedications and special events as requested by the President.
Sports Coverage - Sports press releases and radio PSAs are e-mailed to all media on the regular mailing list; special pre-game stories are e-mailed or called in to daily newspapers, radio and TV stations. Following all home athletic events, scores and statistics are reported to newspapers and television stations in Memphis, Tupelo and Jackson. Press releases are sent to hometown newspapers of out-of-district and out-of-state athletes. Game stories, scores and statistics are also posted on the college's Web site.
Photography - Photographs are made of student events, special awards, sports events, etc. The purpose of making these photographs is to send them to area newspapers for publicity purposes. At least two days' notice is required for scheduling photography services. The Communications Office does not make photos for scrapbooks and displays. There is, however, a camera that may be checked out for those purposes. Faculty and staff are asked to submit photos (e.g. clubs, awards and news) to Communications to be sent to area papers.
Clearinghouse -All college materials, including programs and invitations, for dissemination to the public are channeled through the Communications Office for proofreading and assisting with the communication process.
Advertising - Advertising for the college is approved and designed by the Communications staff. Television and radio advertising is coordinated by the Communications Office.
Marketing Communications - Marketing communications plans are developed for academic and student affairs departments.
Business Cards - The Public Relations Office is responsible for designing and ordering business cards for Northwest faculty and staff.
College Publications - The Communications staff is available for assistance with copy writing, layout, design and production of college publications for divisions, departments and special events. The Communications Office works out production details with the printer. Contact the Communications Office at least six weeks prior to the date the material is needed.
Student Publications - The Ranger Rocket is published monthly during the regular academic year. If there is an event that warrants coverage in the student newspaper, contact the Communications Office for a reporter and/or photographer. Special events may also be covered for the Rocketeer yearbook.
