Fwd: [WMUK Board] Press release (Public Domain Day) - Wikimediauk-l

29 Dec 2009

See Steve's reply, below, which didn't make it to this list. I agree  
with the promotion point - this isn't the place to push unrelated  
events, although it's always good to mention them if they are related  
(e.g. as in the 5 million Commons files release). Andrew did make a  
number of other points as well as this one, though.

Thanks,
Mike

Begin forwarded message:

...
  From: "Steve Virgin"
&lt;steve(a)mediafocusuk.com&gt;
 Date: 29 December 2009 16:57:27 GMT
 To: &lt;charles.r.matthews(a)ntlworld.com&gt;
 Cc: Wikimedia UK Board mailing list &lt;board(a)wikimedia.org.uk&gt;
 Subject: Re: [WMUK Board] [Wikimediauk-l] Press release (Public  
 Domain Day)
 Reply-To: Wikimedia UK Board mailing list &lt;board(a)wikimedia.org.uk&gt;

 Charles is quite right that we have been in touch

 He was aware that we needed to run this through the Board Meeting  
 tonight as I pointed this out last week

 I think he was aware I might have some reservations (albeit minor)  
 about the text so I doubt anyone thought it would be issued  
 prematurely

 Any promotion of Britain Loves Wikipedia should be in a section at  
 the bottom called 'Editor's Notes' that comes at the end of the  
 press release - it should not come in the main body text as this  
 will mean more than one single message is being conveyed and this  
 will be confusing

 I'd certainly promote it in the Editor's Notes - but nowhere else.  
 Or, simply write a new press release all about Britain Loves  
 Wikipedia and issue that to secure the same

 I had a few minor and small doubts about the 70 year rule so on  
 phrases in the text suggesting 'copyright free on anything' which I  
 simply modified to sound less harsh. But our collective Board  
 knowledge on the copyright matter would no doubt be of interest

 Hope this helps

 Best
 Steve
 --------------------------------------------------
 From: "Charles Matthews" &lt;charles.r.matthews(a)ntlworld.com&gt;
 Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 4:36 PM
 To: "Michael Peel" &lt;email(a)mikepeel.net&gt;
 Cc: &lt;wikimediauk-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org&gt;rg>; "Steve Virgin"  
 &lt;steve(a)mediafocusuk.com&gt;
 Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Press release (Public Domain Day)

  Michael Peel wrote:
  In terms of the content of the press release,
there still seem to  
 be some outstanding questions. Andrew posted on the talk page 5  
 days ago, pointing out a few things, which it would be good to  
 discuss. The central point is: are we absolutely positive that  
 the facts are completely accurate? Also, note that the press  
 release as it stands is lacking a headline and a date.  I don't agree with the
Talk page comment "release should promote  
 WMUK and its activities, e.g. Britain Loves Wikipedia, as much as  
 possible". My views on press releases are probably known to  
 readers of the list by now. I would go so far as to say that  
 "corporate identity" material is dead weight in getting media  
 attention. To put it another way, promotion through simply  
 contacting the media has to earn its keep.

 On the issue of handling, I have been in contact with a Board  
 member, and I imagine my views will be represented to the Board.  
 I'll pass on second-guessing the detailed drafting. 70 years is  
 correct for the UK, that much is clear, and _in the press release_  
 nothing else should be brought in.

 Charles

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