Don’t underestimate the business impact of a strong local market news story.
A Colorado Public Radio feature that we secured for our client, Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) – the first 100% online, institutionally accredited public university in the U.S. – was picked up and shared by National Public Radio and ultimately syndicated to 123 local NPR stations nationwide, in markets like San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Dallas.
The original CPR piece showcased CSU Global’s 2025 commencement speaker: Kaitlyn, a single, deaf mom who found her ideal higher education fit with CSU Global after twice giving up on college. Her inspiring speech highlighted her journey – the highs and lows, her son as her inspiration, and how her new bachelor’s degree had a tangible impact on her career, leading to a promotion and higher pay.
The win was the result of the right elements coming together for the pitch: an authentic story, the timely graduation angle and Linhart PR’s strong media relationships. NPR then amplifying the local feature and disseminating it nationwide allowed us to reach millions of prospective students with a real-life example of the benefits of a CSU Global education.
A good hometown story can drive brand awareness and audience actions that extend far beyond the local market. After the NPR stories aired, CSU Global web traffic increased 971%.
Read the Colorado Public Radio story or give the National Public Radio version a listen. If you're exploring ways to boost awareness and drive leads through earned media, reach out and we can help.
