Class Projects
Media Kit
PR 535 Persuasive Writing
USC Annenberg Fall 2021
01 News Release
The task is to inform audiences about SpaceX’s upcoming Crew-3 mission launch.
The goal is to shift attention away from Elon Musk’s controversial financial shocks to Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) by prioritizing successful missions and accomplishments by SpaceX.
On Nov. 6, 2021, Elon Musk announced via his Twitter poll results that he would sell 10% of his Tesla shares. Within the first week, Musk sold about 3% of this amount, totaling to $5 billion in Tesla stock. Although Tesla is a publicly-traded company and SpaceX is a private organization, private investors in SpaceX and potential customers need to be reassured of SpaceX’s continued profitability and stability.
Current and prospective clients in the aerospace industry: Commercial space travel customers are still waiting in line for private companies like SpaceX to transport them into orbit. So far, only SpaceX and Boeing have jurisdiction to conduct low Earth orbit missions. Major aerospace entrepreneurs seek private firms, like SpaceX, to launch telecommunications satellites, transport cargo and build in-space manufacturing (ISM) facilities. Note: The quote is not real, but the speaker is a real senior director.
Although Elon Musk is the figurehead and face of both Tesla and SpaceX, this news release distinguishes how SpaceX remains successful despite being privately held under an unpredictable Elon Musk. This can reassure the aerospace industry of SpaceX’s protection against economic shocks.
Major space industry news publications, like Space.com and SpaceflightNow.com will likely share this story. Science journalists and technology reporters may also share this on NASA’s main website.
02 Thought Leadership
The article informs audiences about the new commercialized aerospace industry and key areas for growth.
This piece aims to help audiences understand that human technology stands at the brink of a new era. Through SpaceX CFO Bret Johnson, this piece persuades readers to view SpaceX as the industry pioneer.
To improve confidence in SpaceX’s potential, Johnson needs to first spotlight the aerospace industry as a whole. After demonstrating the promising advancements in aerospace today, Johnson can next highlight how SpaceX successfully leads this revolution.
Audiences include current aerospace industry leaders, potential venture capital investors, government agencies like NASA and ESA, startup aerospace companies and business entrepreneurs.
Attributing this piece to CFO Bret Johnson boosts credibility and audience intrigue due to SpaceX’s active role in NASA missions.
This thought leadership piece would likely be shared on trade publications, such as “Bloomberg Business” and “Fast Company.”
03 Tagline
This Instagram story’s tagline “For one night only…” refers to the livestream event on NASA TV. This billboard’s tagline “Third Time’s the Charm” refers to SpaceX’s third partner mission with NASA under the Commercial Crew Program.
The goal is to inform audiences about the upcoming Crew-3 launch to highlight SpaceX’s recent accomplishments in the aerospace sector. Both tagline versions indicate how this launch is an event worth watching live.
Focusing attention on SpaceX accomplishments will decrease public scrutiny against Elon Musk’s controversial sale of Tesla stock and draw negative attention away from SpaceX.
This audience includes aerospace industry leaders and ordinary fans of astronomy, science and technology without professional expertise. SpaceX is both an industry leader and cultural icon.
Emphasis on NASA’s partner role in this launch will boost credibility and appeal to a wider audience. Therefore, both taglines address where and when to watch the livestream on NASA TV.
Billboards in major cities with dense numbers of aerospace companies and startups will inform target audiences. Some examples in California are Los Angeles, Long Beach and El Segundo. Other potential cities in Texas include Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Posting billboards near NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. will inform additional target audience members. On the other hand, the Instagram story’s message could reach social media users interested in aerospace or science fiction.
04 Podcast Script
This podcast script’s task is to narrate the historical events that defined today’s aerospace industry and how SpaceX unexpectedly rose to lead this disruption.
The goal is to persuade audiences that joint venture between SpaceX and government entities, like NASA, is the most viable and logical method for future space research and exploration.
At first, the general public and investor communities viewed SpaceX as a vanity project of the eccentric billionaire Elon Musk. However, this podcast script persuades audiences that private and public collaboration (in the form of joint venture) will maximize opportunities for space innovation.
Podcast listeners of “This Week in Startups” include technology entrepreneurs and potential engineers or scientists whom SpaceX might recruit and hire. SpaceX prefers working in-house rather than by temporary contracts, so the organization should present itself as an industry leader.
An introductory hook and cohesive narrative will keep listeners’ attention. The podcast’s interview with a high-profile SpaceX executive will also draw more listeners.
This podcast would be shared on the podcast series “This Week in Startups” on streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Although SpaceX is no longer a traditional startup company, it is still privately-held and attracts numerous aerospace startups to relocate nearby in Hawthorne, CA.
05 Infographic
The task is to itemize and explain the different departments and services within SpaceX.
Although SpaceX remains private and does not disclose financial statements, this infographic aims to demonstrate transparency to the general public.
SpaceX needs to separate its operations from Elon Musk’s controversial stake in Tesla. This will reassure the public of SpaceX’s stability and profitability.
Audiences include aerospace industry leaders and competitor companies.
Clear, brief and direct explanations in the form of an infographic will quickly inform audiences about SpaceX operations.
This infographic will likely be shared on NASA blogs and online aerospace forums.