[WikiX-l] W10: Embargoed Press Release

[Jay Walsh]

Those are valid points, FT2 - thanks.  There are many ways we could go about this release, and I think the direction taken here is in line with how we expect much (not all) media to engage on this topic: celebratory, somewhat light-hearted and joyful look at the project.  

I like this version in that it proposes a lofty trajectory of growth and change.  It doesn't try to cover all of the bases, and though the final version has some of the vision-forward facing stuff, it strikes a reasonable balance.  

Glad to see everyone's comments of course.  The release isn't the center of the celebration - let's hope the coverage generated by all of the events, chapters, and celebrators builds for a great story.

On Jan 9, 2011, at 8:19 PM, FT2 wrote:

> I asked Moka off-list to clarify the points that were concerning me. My comment and her response are below.
>  
> She suggested I forward it to the list, "I think it's a good point to raise to help others think through how the release might be tailored.  In the end, it's there for them to edit and remix."
>  
> So see below :)
>  
> FT2
>  
>  
> My email: 
> While laughing gently at one's past is admirable, I'm just not sure about the degree of self-deprecation. In this release a reader takes away the key points that it has a "funny name", that its early articles were pointless and trite, that the last words in the next paragraph (which tend to linger) are "total disaster".
>   
> The rest (and anything strong) comes much further down, but traditionally a skim-reader is less likely to pick up on stuff the further down it is.
>   
> I guess I mainly want to re-check, does this work in media terms?
>  
> Response:
> I hear you.  I think this release is more about writing to celebrate,
> rather than writing for a real news hook.  If you take a look at most
> of the Foundation releases, it's more about the ceremonial process.
>  
> The nice thing about the 10 year is that almost all press are already
> writing about it, so we dont have to sell them on a story-- and that's
> mainly the function of a press release.
>  
> Does that make sense?
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-- 
Jay Walsh
Head of Communications
WikimediaFoundation.org
blog.wikimedia.org
+1 (415) 839 6885 x 609, @jansonw

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