Newsjacking Book Summary - Newsjacking Book explained in key points
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Newsjacking summary

How to Inject Your Ideas Into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage

4 (20 ratings)
10 mins

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Newsjacking by David Meerman Scott is a guidebook for incorporating real-time news into marketing strategies. It offers tactics to benefit from breaking news stories on various platforms, and how newsjacking can boost brand awareness and generate leads.

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    Newsjacking
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    Newsjacking is a powerful tool to get media attention.

    Do you have a message you want to share with the world, but no idea how to get it out there? If you don’t have a great deal of influence or a huge marketing budget, you have to be clever about it: don’t plan media coverage, just jack the headline.

    Newsjacking is a powerful tool, and it’s really all about timing.

    On August 13, 2011, all mass media in the United States was poised to report on Iowa, the site of a key Republican Party fundraiser and preliminary poll. But on the same day, Texas governor Rick Perry announced he would run for president.

    The timing was ingenious. Perry landed on the front pages of national newspapers, while the results from Iowa were relegated to the back pages. This is just one instance of brilliant newsjacking.

    In today’s information age, the way we consume news has changed dramatically. We expect second-by-second updates, 24/7; a single tweet can change the direction of news coverage completely. As a result, planned news campaigns no longer have the power they used to. For potential newsjackers, this is an ideal situation.

    Effective newsjacking requires an understanding of what’s trending in the media at any given moment, even though it changes incredibly quickly. If you manage to add something new to a trending story, you’ll get the news coverage you want with minimal effort.

    Another useful example took place when Paris Hilton was arrested for drug possession in 2010. At a time when headlines about her arrest dominated media, Wynn Resorts announced they were banning Hilton from their properties – despite the fact that Wynn Resorts had nothing to do with Paris Hilton.

    And yet, Wynn received astonishing media attention that they couldn’t have bought with a planned campaign. It was a media reaction worth millions of dollars, and all a result of Wynn Resorts’ impeccable timing.

    The new media landscape is a paradise for those who are observant and know when to act. If you’re not ready to get newsjacking yourself, chances are somebody might do it to you!

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    Key ideas in Newsjacking

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    What is Newsjacking about?

    Newsjacking (2012) is about the best new way to get media attention – not by planning ahead but by reacting quickly and cleverly. These blinks not only explain how this new form of generating news works, but also how you can and should react to it, and how to use it to attain the best possible media coverage.

    Newsjacking Review

    Newsjacking (2011) by David Meerman Scott is a compelling exploration of how to leverage real-time events to generate attention for your brand. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

    • With practical examples and strategies, it provides a roadmap for capitalizing on breaking news to increase your brand's visibility and reach.
    • By combining marketing insights, case studies, and expert interviews, it offers a comprehensive understanding of the art of newsjacking.
    • Through its entertaining anecdotes and compelling storytelling, the book keeps you engaged and helps you grasp the power of newsjacking in building your brand.

    Who should read Newsjacking?

    • Marketers seeking alternatives to planned advertising campaigns
    • Emerging organizations keen to raise awareness on a shoestring budget
    • News readers interested in today’s changing media landscape

    About the Author

    David Meerman Scott is an international public relations and marketing expert, specializing in online news. An in-demand keynote speaker, Meerman Scott has also written several best-selling books, including The New Rules of Marketing and PR.

     

    © David Meerman Scott: Newsjacking copyright 2012, John Wiley & Sons Inc. Used by permission of John Wiley & Sons Inc. and shall not be made available to any unauthorized third parties.

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    Newsjacking FAQs 

    What is the main message of Newsjacking?

    The main message of Newsjacking is capitalizing on breaking news to gain attention and grow your business.

    How long does it take to read Newsjacking?

    The reading time for Newsjacking varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Newsjacking a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Newsjacking is a valuable read for anyone wanting to leverage current events for their business. It offers practical strategies and examples to succeed in real-time marketing.

    Who is the author of Newsjacking?

    The author of Newsjacking is David Meerman Scott.

    What to read after Newsjacking?

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