Creative, Strategic, Effective
Trey Pollard - Experienced Media and pr Services
Hello!
Hi! I’m Trey. Here’s the short story: I’m a communications and media strategist who has spent more than a decade in PR and journalism. Throughout my career, I’ve developed and implemented media and communications strategies for everything from high-profile, headline-generating, million-dollar fights on some of the most important federal legislation in decades to scrappy, grassroots efforts to sway small-town decision makers on the wonkiest of details — and, I’m proud to say, these strategies won, time and time again. There's more about my experience and who I am on my resume and this page. This section isn’t about me, though — it’s about what I’ve done and what I can do for you.
In late 2019, I started my own communications practice based in Charlottesville, Virginia with a handful of clients throughout the country in the clean energy and advocacy space. Throughout my career to the present, I’ve worked with multi-national companies, regional and national advocacy organizations, federal elected officials, local elected officials, tech start-ups, small businesses, and more. My goal is to team up with folks in the private and non-profit sector who are fighting for change, leading with inclusion, innovating with creativity, and in need of a partner who can develop a communications strategy with those same principles at heart. If that sounds like you, let’s talk. Please click around this site, and drop me a line.
Jump Right to a Small Sample of Some of My Work
Services
The notion of communications and media strategy can be ambiguous sometimes. Some folks often think it just means writing press releases, though it’s never that simple. Your winning media strategies have to carry the sharpest message via the most effective tactics to break through the noise to reach the audience most essential to achieving your goals. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to figure all that out and get started — and, once you’ve started, it takes creativity and adaptability to stay relevant and embrace the rapidly changing news cycle and the complicated dynamics of the media and political landscapes. I offer a full suite of services to clients to ensure we conquer those challenges from beginning to end, from working closely on campaign and strategy development to content creation and distribution to crisis communications services and media relations management. Here’s a quick rundown of what that means.
Strategy, Message, and Narrative Development
Launching a campaign? Releasing a report? Breaking some news? One way or the other, it is essential to set a strategy that is customized for you and your priorities. That is the foundation for your winning media campaign — big or small. We’ll identify the most effective messages, media outlets, and tactics needed to meet your objectives and reach your key audiences and we’ll tease out complicated wedge issues, themes, challenges, and opportunities to develop a dynamic and responsive communications strategy that will be the guiding beacon through a complex public affairs environment. From public opinion analysis and research to identifying the spokespeople your audience trusts, we’ll help tell the best story about your work to the people who need to hear it.
Media Outreach and Media Relations Management
With experience as a journalist on two continents and a decade of work in media relations and engagement with reporters, producers, and journalists on local, regional, national, and international levels, I’ll work with you to identify the media contacts and outlets that best match your strategy and priorities. I’ll work with you on everything from creating press lists to managing media inquiries and reporter relationships while adding capacity to your team.
Press Releases, Creative Content, Social Media Material, Opinion Writing, Statements and Media Outreach
The bread and butter of most media strategies is content — but one size doesn’t fit all. Maybe you need a classic press release to break major news, or perhaps you want to share informal updates about an ongoing project, blast out a story that needs to be seen, or ensure you get your organization’s voice on record. We’ll work together to figure out what product works best, determine how to create it together, and get it in front of the folks who need to see it.
Talking Points, Speeches, Spokesperson Training and Interview Preparation
From speeches at political conventions and national television interviews to local radio appearances and meet-and-greets at the Rotary Club, I have worked with principles to prepare them for the public and the media. Together, we’ll develop effective communications with words that work, practice responses to hard questions, prepare for interviews, and engage with the toughest audiences and arguments, whether its in a one-on-one meeting or on a major broadcast outlet. Big Speech coming up? Never done TV before? What do you do with your hands?!? I got you. I work with clients to identify the goals and challenges of public appearances and craft the tools and strategies you need to succeed.
Crisis Communications
Brand threats, leaks, attacks — whatever the world may throw at you, it can get sticky when your back is against the wall and the public and the media are demanding answers during a crisis. Believe me, I’ve been there. With experience in tough political fights to brand protection efforts for one of the world’s largest non-profits, I’m ready to work with you on the best way to safeguard your priorities, your team, and your reputation during the toughest times while developing plans for managing internal and external communications when the stakes are highest. Got a problem? Let’s talk.
Other Services:
Drafting Reports, White Papers, and One-Pagers
LTEs and Op-eds
Exclusive Story Placement
Event Development and Management
Visibility Campaigns
Guerilla Marketing
Paid Media Management
There’s Always More!
It’s impossible to put every part of communications and PR work into a box. The way news travels and the way stories are told is constantly changing (Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit — oh my!), so the requirements of the work changes — and I’m ready to help your strategies change right along with the times. If you ask nicely enough, I may even show you my Tik Tok account.