April 2020 by Sarah Collica, Director of Marketing and Communications, Austin Pets Alive! and Nikki Reck, Communications Specialist, Pima Animal Care Center

Audience: Executive Leadership, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

Video Length: 41:35

Newsworthy stories happen every day in shelters across the country. Local media is vital in lifesaving success for shelters but how do you get your local media's attention? Learn how to cultivate relationships with news sources and tips and tricks from a marketing director and an Emmy Award-winning newscaster.

This presentation was recorded by Maddie's Fund® at the 2020 American Pets Alive! Conference.

Bio photo of Sarah Collica, smiling in an indoor setting

About Sarah Collica

With more than 10 years of experience in public relations, communications and marketing, Sarah specializes in storytelling, garnering earned media coverage and reputation management. She's worked in nonprofit, agency and healthcare, supporting everything from small B2B companies and statewide charitable initiatives to a nation-wide Fortune 500 company. Sarah is a long-time cat and dog foster and a forever animal lover.


About Nikki Reck

Nikki started working at Pima Animal Care Center in July 2018, where she had previously worked as a volunteer. She spent 10 years working in broadcast news before that, winning a regional Emmy Award for Best Newscast in 2018. She and her husband Craig have two rescue Chihuahua mixes and they frequently have a foster or two running around in their home.