<Power From The DepthsThe Oil DrumWhat A Difference Two Years Makes>

32 comments on President Bush Questions Saudi Ability to Raise Oil Supply: The ISEOF/TOD Press Release

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

Perpetual Energy on January 18, 2008 - 11:40pm Permalink | Subthread | Comments top

Thanks for putting another great release together! May I make a humble request that you place a digital camera in front of you and record yourself reading this release? Afterwards, upload it to YouTube, Google Video, LiveLeak, etc. and place the text of the release along with any other additional metatags in the description field.

This will bring a lot more attention to this release and to the amazing work going on here in TOD.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Gail the Actuary on January 19, 2008 - 12:19am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

This seems to be possible. According to the PRWeb online material:

Feature Video
Adding a new visual and audio dynamic on your PRWeb press release page is now possible. In addition to the Quotables and News Image features, you can now embed streaming video directly into your press release. Simply upload your video to Yahoo! Video, Google Video, or YouTube and then use the “embed code” provided to place the video into your press release. This “Feature Video” capability is available at our Media Visibility distribution level.

IIRC, the video has to be short if you are actually sending the code, so that the file size stays small. For a longer presentation, it might be that we could link to a video elsewhere, such as YouTube. Or we could theoretically just do a video presentation, on one of the video sites. The trick would be to find someone who would like to be in front of the camera and do well at it.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Perpetual Energy on January 19, 2008 - 3:09am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

It looks like it will take about four and a half minutes to read. You looked like you were having fun in the pics on the oil platform a few months ago. Oily Cassandra might volunteer but I don't think she's the appropriate spokesperson for TOD. What about you, PG, HO, SS, NH, Leanan, or WT?

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Gail the Actuary on January 19, 2008 - 1:26pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Of the group, I would nominate Professor Goose. He comes across as fairly buttoned down. A little crazy, but not too much so. He has let a fair number of people know his real name. He is probably too busy, though.

Heading Out and Leanan are out, because they have not revealed their real identities, and don't plan to. Westexas isn't on the staff of TOD.

Stuart Staniford might be a reasonable choice, if he were interested. I didn't run across a photo of him. He has a British accent, and to me, comes across as somewhat academic.

Nate Hagens would probably project a graduate student image. This is a picture of him.

This is a picture of me. I am not sure I would be good at it.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Aniya on January 19, 2008 - 9:40pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi again, Gail,

Just a couple of suggestions (easy to make them, when others are doing the work:)).

This would apply probably to your final paragraph.

I'd try to keep in mind that many readers may not have what we consider to be an accurate set of background facts, as context in which to place information from a news release. (I can't tell you how important this is from my experience. People get part of the picture, and then somehow (?) have managed to receive piece of misinformation to round it out. The net result is: otherwise well-educated people, seriously misinformed.)

So, I'd try to do two things:

1) Think about "It's significant in the big picture because..." (Example: "The question of Saudi capacity is important because SA in the top 14 of the world's exporting nations, and is the only one who's production is not in confirmed decline.") and...

2) Why should the general public - (or even subsets thereof) - care? (Example" "With a global economy dependent on fossil fuel use, the world urgently needs to prepare for a shrinking global supply.") (Or however you can best say it.) We want people to know this is a problem - not "just a problem", but a problem that...

So, to me, the conclusions you draw (final paragraph) come across as not all that striking, the way they're stated. (If this makes sense.) I think you could tie it in, briefly, to the urgency and significance of the "big picture".

On to the video idea:

1) I'd say, a spokesperson doesn't have to be on the staff, in order to be a spokesperson for TOD.

He/she could "just" be a "hired" - or in this case volunteer - "hand". I wouldn't limit my spokespersons, if I were you (all). Having more spokespersons could spread the work/fun around.

2) Nate, well goodness. My guess is, he doesn't or wouldn't really come across as a grad student. (Assuming coming across that way would be a minus. :)) First off, he's a bit on the old side for a typical grad student, isn't he? And, old/or young (depending upon one's relative viewpoint) and cute (the operative adjective) can't hurt.

3) You also have a nice look about you, Gail. I'd give it a try. "Not very good" - my guess is, you'd feel more comfortable as you went along. You might really take to it. My suggestion is to go ahead and do it. If you like, I can pass the result along to a pro I know, who might be able to give you some hints for future ones. OTOH, you might find you don't need them.

(I'd also comment on PG, but value my membership :).)

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Gail the Actuary on January 19, 2008 - 10:44pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

You are probably right about needing to include more background. It is easy to forget that the background of the general population is pretty poor. The press release could, in this case, include more background than the original post that it was based on.

I think part of what we are aiming for with press releases is to get information to newspapers. Part of it is as background for reporters. Also, if the reporter is lazy, the press release is supposed to be written in such a way that the reporter could copy some or all of the press release, and make a newspaper article from it.

I think the You Tube video (or similar) would reach a somewhat different audience. We would have to be even more careful to include enough background. I think it would take a fair amount of planning to well. We will have to see - I'm not the one to make decisions on things like this.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
team10tim on January 20, 2008 - 1:49am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hey hey Gail,

You could probably get some volunteers from the audience to audition for the part. The Oil Drum has a large, varied, and dedicated pool to pull from and digital recording equipment is abundant in our society. I think that if you make a request and supply a script then you will get at least a few high quality professional videos.

Thanks,
Tim

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Aniya on January 20, 2008 - 3:29am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Gail,

Thanks for responding. And Nate, (wups) - I meant to describe you as articulate (where did "cute" come from? :)) (sorry!). And, obviously, intelligent-looking :), except that if Gail posted your photo, it's not showing up in my access. I've seen one of you previously - it must have been with one of your articles (?)

I like Tim's idea.

Also, I'd say...from my POV, the main thing is to get the message out. (It doesn't have to be perfect.)

While "professional", as Tim describes, is great, there's a certain aesthetic I can imagine - that could result in a "fresh" look and feel, as well.

And, a comment on reporters - and the general public. It's also a matter (in my experience) that people just do not know *how* to think about this topic, even if they are willing to go so far as to contemplate it. That's where the background comes in. It's important to say the "why" - (the significance) - and to make it easy for them to find sources and people to talk to.

It's also possible - (another worthy project for helpful TODers?) - to perhaps have as a link up top a section for journalists. (Perhaps a journalist might say what should go in this. :))(Q and A) or something.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Perpetual Energy on January 21, 2008 - 11:55pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I think the You Tube video (or similar) would reach a somewhat different audience.

You'll reach those on your media list plus a much wider audience. Newspaper folks tend to skim over text releases, but they will watch a 4 minute clip.

Matt Simmons (Bloomberg): Peak Oil Now, Oil Perhaps to $300
69,641 views in 11 months

Peak Oil: Gas Prices, Supply Depletion & Energy Crisis SHORT
57,134 views in 18 months

Kucinich, Dean, + Biden on: Peak Oil, Ron Paul
45,369 views in 2 months

the 3 Oily Cassandra Videos
17,726 views in 4 weeks

Disseminating a text release is a good tactic to try to get the MSM to pick it up, but video inspires people to disseminate the release for you. You can make a separate background video instead of including everything in each new release. Each release should just be someone reading it with a TOD footer or a closing TOD url screen. K.I.S.S.!

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Aniya on January 23, 2008 - 12:07am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Perpetual,

This is great.

My suggestion is to email the editors and Gail, so that they'll be sure to see it, since your reply is a couple days after the post and not everyone checks back. (I'd do it but am having trouble w. my email right now and want to make sure it gets done!)

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.