PR / Media

Got a story or event that might attract media attention? Make sure you mention that the project is supported with thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England. Our Communications Team will happily provide a quote.

Acknowledging funders

Please include the following sentence somewhere in the main body of your press release:

This project is backed by Youth Music, thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

Please add the following information in the Notes for Editors section:

About Youth Music

We believe that every young person should have the chance to change their life through music. Yet our research shows that many can’t because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through.

Our insights, influence and investment in grassroots organisations and to young people themselves means that more 0–25-year-olds from can make, learn and earn in music.

Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People's Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.

Quotes from Youth Music

We’d love to provide a quote from Youth Music for your press release. Please contact us on comms@youthmusic.org.uk – it’s best if you include a draft of the press release in your email, then we have the context to provide a quote.

Let us know what you’ve got coming up a few weeks in advance. That way, we can support you to spread the word further through our own channels.

Press release tips

Research, statistics and survey findings usually make great national stories. Any story involving a celebrity will usually interest the media as well: think about your supporters and ambassadors and try to coordinate a story with them.

Local media will be interested to know about the impact you have on the community. Put participants at the centre: support them to tell their own stories about their experiences of the project.

Publications are more likely to print your press release if you make it easy for them. The following structure mirrors press articles and means a journalist won’t need to do much editing:

1. Publication date - this can either be for immediate release, or you can set an embargo for a few days’ time.
2. Short and clear headline.
3. 1st paragraph: key facts - sum up the entire story in one or two sentences
4. 2nd paragraph: context - why it’s important
5. 3rd paragraph: details - who’s involved, how it came about etc.
6. 4th paragraph: relevant quote - it adds information and credibility
7. 5th paragraph: more details - link to your website and where to get involved, buy tickets etc.
8. Notes to editors: this information isn’t intended to be printed, but it gives the journalist some extra context - include contact details, any other useful references and a short ‘About [your organisation] section’
9. Include a couple of pictures (with photo credit) and logos