Leveraging Trending Movies: A PR Guide to Successful Newsjacking

In the fast-paced world of public relations, staying ahead of trends is essential for garnering attention and boosting brand visibility. One effective strategy for achieving this is newsjacking – the art of injecting your brand or client into a trending news story to generate media coverage and engagement. And what better source of trending topics than the release of blockbuster movies?

When the Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell led  ‘Anyone But You’ was released earlier this year, there was a lot of conversation around the film, with many questioning if the quintessential ‘rom-com’ was indeed back. Our team of expert social listeners tracked the movie’s release and since the film is set in Australia, we saw an opportunity to newsjack the moment. The film highlights Australian landmarks and the country’s stunning scenery, which allowed for the perfect moment to pitch media and create social content for our client, Tourism Australia. Read our blog on the film HERE.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how PR agencies can leverage the release of trending movies to effectively newsjack for their clients, maximizing exposure and driving conversation.

Identify Relevant Themes

The first step in successfully newsjacking movie releases is identifying relevant themes that align with your client’s brand or message. Whether it’s a superhero movie, a romantic comedy, or a thought-provoking drama, there are often underlying themes and messages that can be tied back to your client’s industry or target audience.

For example, a tech company could capitalize on the release of a sci-fi film by highlighting the real-world advancements in technology that mirror those depicted in the movie. Similarly, a fashion brand could draw inspiration from the costumes and aesthetics of a period drama for a themed marketing campaign.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

Timing is everything when it comes to newsjacking, so it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and plan your campaigns in advance. Monitor upcoming movie releases and identify opportunities to align your client’s messaging with relevant films well before they hit theaters.

By anticipating trends and planning ahead, you can position your client as a thought leader within their industry and capitalize on the buzz surrounding the movie release.

Create Compelling Content

Once you’ve identified a relevant movie release to newsjack, it’s time to create compelling content that will capture the attention of media and consumers alike. This could take the form of pitches, social media content, or even multimedia assets such as videos or infographics.

Be creative in your approach and find unique angles that tie the movie release back to your client’s brand or message. Whether it’s conducting a survey, hosting a themed event, or offering exclusive promotions, think outside the box to generate excitement and engagement.

Forge Strategic Partnerships

Collaborating with influencers, industry experts, and other brands can amplify the reach of your newsjacking efforts and lend credibility to your message. Identify potential partners who share a similar target audience and can help amplify your client’s message through their own channels.

By leveraging strategic partnerships, you can extend the reach of your campaign and tap into new audiences who may be interested in the movie release and your client’s brand.

Monitor and Measure Results

As with any PR campaign, it’s essential to monitor and measure the results of your newsjacking efforts to gauge their effectiveness and make adjustments as needed. Track media coverage, social media engagement, website traffic, and other key metrics to determine the impact of your campaign and identify areas for improvement.

By analyzing the results of your newsjacking efforts, you can refine your strategy over time and continue to capitalize on trending movie releases to boost your client’s visibility and drive business outcomes.

In conclusion, the release of trending movies presents a valuable opportunity for PR agencies to newsjack for clients and generate buzz around their brand or message. By identifying relevant themes, staying ahead of the curve, creating compelling content, forging strategic partnerships, and monitoring results, PR professionals can maximize the impact of their newsjacking efforts and position their clients for success in an ever-changing media landscape. Learn more about our Public Relations Services HERE.