Given everything that’s been reported about Louisiana Seafood, what makes for good media relations? For the past five years it has been the honesty and credibility of the board’s manger of communications, Ashley Roth. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Given everything that’s been reported about Louisiana Seafood, what makes for good media relations?
Without hesitation, for the past five years it has been the honesty and credibility of the board’s manger of communications, Ashley Roth.
Roth recently left her position, one she held through four hurricanes and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to take on new communication responsibilities with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Representing Louisiana’s commercial fishing community, Roth came of age as a world-class media relation’s expert during Hurricane Katrina.
Roth and executive director Ewell Smith take a much need break during the Deepwater Horizon crisis media coverage. Photo: Louisiana Seafood News archives
“Ashley is the pro’s pro of public relations,” said Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board’s executive director Ewell Smith. “As part of the seafood board’s family she handled media inquires, crisis communications and promotional PR. During the Deepwater Horizon crisis she arranged and scheduled more than 3,000 interviews with media for the staff, as well as board members.”
“It’s easy to do your job if you’re just being honest,” said Roth about her job at the board. “Honesty, in turn, builds long-term relationships with reporters.”
She sees her job as being a credible source, a trusted resource for news media worldwide “so that they come back – time and time again.”
During the past five years, she has worked with hundreds of reporters from major news outlets, such as: Time, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, CBS and the BBC – as well as influential trade media, including the Food Network.
Roth credits Louisiana Seafood News for helping her media relations work today. The site, established during the oil spill, was renewed right before Hurricane Isaac struck the Gulf Coast last year.
Roth staffs the Louisiana seafood booth at the Boston Seafood Show, working with both buyers and media. Photo: Louisiana Seafood News archives
She is quick to point out that her media relations skills sharpened considerably watching Smith, Harlon Pearce, its former chairman, and the late Mike Voisin, a former board member and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries commissioner. As seafood advocates, Roth saw how well they interacted with reporters, made their points and advanced the business.
“My years at the seafood board has been a rewarding and wonderful experience,” said the seafood PR pro. “I am excited to stay involved with the seafood community in my new role on the communications team at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.”
“She made everyone she worked with better,” said Smith about his former colleague. “She will be missed by everyone.”
In the interim assistant executive director Kristin McLaren will address issues and questions on public information and seafood statistics, while Smith will handle all media inquires.
“Media inquires can also be made through the newsroom,” he explained. “We will do the best to continue the professionalism, credibility and honesty Ashley established. It is important to our brand and the seafood community to keep our standards high.”
Originally published on LouisianaSeafoodNews.com
Visitor Comments