Media and Public Relations

Press Releases

The public relations staff of OER is your in-house public relations agency. We respond to and generate media inquires about the work of Columbia University's medical faculty. Our mission is to inform the public and the scientific and medical communities of Columbia's achievements in medical research, teaching, and community service, and draw attention to the issues confronting academic medicine.

News coverage is important to Columbia's faculty because it plays a role in public understanding and support. But dealing with the press requires a special kind of experience and expertise. It is our job to get you in the papers or keep you out. We encourage you to refer all media calls to our office at 305-3900 (6-3900). Time is of the essence in responding to media calls. It is our job to help the reporter get information accurately and to help determine if participating in the story is in your best interest.

OUR SERVICES:

Publicity: Public Relations (PR) is responsible for publicity about research, presentations at scientific meetings, publications in journals, announcement of patents and licenses for commercial use, and campus events. We write press releases and selectively distribute them to the reporters we know will be most interested.

Editorials and opinion pieces: PR can consult with you on whether such pieces would be useful and help in placing them.

Press Conferences: PR organizes press conferences when needed.

Experts List: PR maintains a list of faculty experts on a wide range of topics and issues to be used as sources for the media. If you would like to be considered for this list, call 305-3900 (6-3900).

Media Training: PR organizes media training for groups or individuals.