Key Points: There is a preponderance of research supporting that strategic use of the media as a key element of any legislative change to control tobacco use. This especially true when funds are limited and grass roots support is the coalitions/organization's major strength. Many statewide and local state tax and clean indoor air campaigns have been going on for many years. This results in message fatigue. This session will address that fatigue and illustrate how two states maximized the grass roots and creative media strategies with success.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to define media advocacy, its tools and cite examples

Participants will be able to discuss the creative process and how it translates to earned and paid media.

Participants will be able to examine the Iowa and Illinois experiences and identify strategies applicable to their own advocacy campaigns.

Benefits: This workshop will provide practical advice supported by actual public policy campaigns to assist participants in analyzing their own strategies and developing skills to advance the creative process.