Media Assistance

Thank you for your interest in ShelbyKY!

We are happy to assist journalists and influencers pursuing stories and articles that feature ShelbyKY as a tourism destination.


Contact

All media requests should be submitted to the Debra Locker Group. Inquiries should be addressed to Debra Locker Griffin and sent to debra@lockerpr.com. Advertising proposals should be sent to Mason Warren, marketing and PR director, at mason@visitshelbyky.com.


Hosted Media Visits

ShelbyKY Tourism encourages qualified media and influencers to visit and write, share, and promote ShelbyKY as Your Bourbon Destination. For interested media, please submit to ShelbyKY Tourism’s public relations agency, the Debra Locker Group, at debra@lockerpr.com the following:

  • Name(s) of journalist and/or photographer
  • Name of assigning publication
  • Contact information for writer/influencer and editor, if applicable
  • Brief biographical information
  • Tear sheets for similar articles not more than two years old

Freelance journalists and influencers should also submit:

  • Name of targeted publication(s) (if applicable)
  • Arrival date, length of visit, departure date
  • Types of activities or special interest/focus of story/special requests

Please note that publications or influencers must have a minimum UVM of 50,000 or 50,000 combined social media followers unless otherwise approved by ShelbyKY Tourism.

ShelbyKY Tourism will provide the following services to qualified media/influencers:

  1. Hosted media visit — ShelbyKY Tourism or its public relations agency will host writers and influencers during their time in ShelbyKY. If the writer or influencer prefers to self-host, ShelbyKY Tourism will reimburse the writer for their actual expenses while in ShelbyKY. Receipts must be submitted to ShelbyKY Tourism, and reimbursement will be made by check for the writer’s/influencer’s expenses only. Expenses incurred by friends or family traveling with the writer/influencer will not be reimbursed.
  2. Press Pass — ShelbyKY Tourism or its agency will provide complimentary passes for activities and events for writers, influencers, and photographers whose names are listed on the bylines of the tear sheets. Passes for friends or family with the writer/influencer will be issued at the discretion of the host, partner, or ShelbyKY Tourism.
  3. Accommodations – ShelbyKY Tourism will provide complimentary accommodation for up to one (1) night for freelance writers/influencers and up to two (2) nights for writers/influencers on assignment. If the writer is not on assignment, it is at the discretion of the individual property to decide if accommodations will be complimentary or at a reduced rate. Accommodations are subject to availability and will be selected by ShelbyKY Tourism.
  4. Airfare — For media or influencers on assignment who live more than six (6) hours away from Shelby County, Kentucky by car, ShelbyKY Tourism will reimburse the assigning publication for the actual cost of airfare in classes less than first class. Reimbursement will only be made upon receipt of an itemized receipt by either ShelbyKY Tourism or its agency.
  5. Rental car — If media/influencers choose to rent a car instead of flying, ShelbyKY Tourism will similarly reimburse the actual cost of the rental car upon receipt of an itemized invoice by either ShelbyKY Tourism or its agency. Mileage and fuel costs will not be reimbursed. 
  6. Photo library — ShelbyKY Tourism maintains a photo library should the media/influencer need pictures to accompany a story. Appropriate photo credits will be listed with each image and should be included in the final publication.
  7. Friends and family — Costs incurred by family members and/or friends traveling with a writer/influencer will not be paid for or reimbursed by ShelbyKY Tourism.
  8. Notice period — Writers must give ShelbyKY Tourism and its agency at least three business weeks’ notice before their arrival (Unless special circumstances arise; all exceptions to be approved by ShelbyKY Tourism).

Tear sheets on any subsequent stories on the ShelbyKY area are to be provided to ShelbyKY Tourism and its agency prior to or immediately upon publication.

Changes Effective March 4, 2024


Kentucky stories

If you are interested in doing a story on other areas of Kentucky, please contact the Kentucky Department of Tourism.

Kristie Wooldridge
Kentucky Department of Tourism
Director of Communications
502-892-3452
kristina.wooldridge@ky.gov