Case Study

THE SITUATION

Part of strong media relations is being able to identify a great story, like administrators at Barnegat Township School District did in the spring of 2021. Triplets were about to graduate #2, #3 and #6 in their class. Will, James and Brian Corliss are each other’s best friends and fiercest competition, pushing each other in the classroom and on the lacrosse field. James, the youngest, was voted Academic All-American in the Shore Conference (the school’s first athlete to receive that distinction), while Brian, the oldest, received an Honorable Mention as an All-Shore goaltender. The teens finished high school with plans to attend Villanova University, live together, and study biology.

THE STRATEGY

Working with Laura Bishop Communications to utilize our media relations savvy, Barnegat leaders recognized this opportunity to meet the goal of highlighting the successes of students, teachers and staff in academics, extracurricular activities, and athletics to raise the district’s visibility locally and statewide.

LBC pitched the story to local and regional reporters and coordinated interviews with the triplets, teachers, coaches and parents; photos of the boys were provided as well. LBC anticipated the needs of the media and worked with Barnegat to ensure those needs were met.