Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
News
Rights + Justice
Media
Environment

The Art of Persuasion, It's All in the Message

This Master Class will help activists reach target audiences. April 11, enrol now.

Tyee Staff 6 Apr 2015TheTyee.ca

image atom
James Boothroyd is a communications consultant known for his expertise on public health and environmental issues. Photo: Gavin Boothroyd.

Want to change the world? Or just your neighbourhood? First perfect your message. That was the theme from James Boothroyd's informative Tyee series on citizen activism that appeared earlier this year.

Boothroyd's series outlined how ordinary citizens and non-profit groups can learn to frame their messages, grab headlines and build successful coalitions.

Boothroyd drew on his broad experience, first as a journalist and later as a communication consultant and self-described activist. In one revealing anecdote, James described his own penchant for public protest.

"Good public demonstrations can, without money or much organization, change the way their participants and millions of us see the world, obliterating the costly public relations' strategies of big industries and bad governments."

If that sounds like a skill you'd like to hone, we invite you to join Boothroyd's Master Class on Saturday, April 11. The class is aimed at campaign and communications managers to help them understand how strategic frames and messaging work. It will also teach participants how to frame these messages, reach their desired audience and advance social change.

Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas to test them on Boothroyd.

Boothroyd is best known for his communications and engagement expertise in public health and environmental issues. He was director of communications for the David Suzuki Foundation from 2010-2012. Right now, his consulting clients include a coalition of 12 of Canada's leading environmental organizations, the Canadian HIV Trials Network, World Health Organization and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Ready to learn more? Enrol in The Tyee Master Class now.

Registration is limited. To learn more about this Tyee Master Class and others, go here.  [Tyee]

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Are You Concerned about AI?

Take this week's poll