Planning Calendar
When is the “best” time to run your mat release?
While your stories can be placed over our syndication network at any time, with some creativity and flexibility brands and brand messages can be tied into any number of holidays, seasonal themes and awareness months.
At NewsUSA, we think like newspaper editors and help our clients to maximize organic content tie-ins throughout the year to grow visibility and enhance brand awareness. For healthcare clients, health months can provide a natural content fit. National Nutrition Month (March), Car Care Month (April) and Financial Literacy Month and other awareness months can also provide tie-ins for a broad range of products and services.
At NewsUSA, we are committed to public health education and consumer education campaigns. If you are running a mat release tied to a national awareness month or week, ask about our consumer education discounts.
Planning Guide/Editorial Calendar
The planning guide/editorial calendar below includes key dates, themes and thought starters to kick-start conversations.
January
Awareness Months:
- Get Organized Month
Holidays:
- New Year’s Day
Themes:
- New Year’s resolutions
- Self-help/self-improvement
- Romantic travel tips (for Valentine’s Day)
February
Awareness Months:
- Black History Month
- National Cancer Prevention Month
- American Heart Month
Holidays:
- Valentine’s Day
Themes:
- Romance
- Superbowl entertaining
March
Awareness Months:
- Women’s History Month
- National Nutrition Month
Themes:
- Tax prep/money management
- Spring house and yard projects
April
Awareness Months:
- Financial Literacy Month
- National Car Care Month
Holidays:
- Easter
- Passover
Themes:
- Spring, weddings
- Spring/Summer entertaining
- Outdoor space improvements
- Earth Day
May
Awareness Months:
- Celiac Awareness Month
- National Pet Month
- National Stroke Awareness Month
- Women’s Health Month
- Arthritis Awareness Month
Holidays:
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day
Themes:
- Graduation
- Gardening & yard maintenance
- Summer trip planning
- Sun health & tips
June
Awareness Months:
- Men’s Health Month
- National Safety Month
- Home Safety Month
Holidays:
- Father’s Day
Themes:
- Summer vacation
- Summer entertaining
- Road trip safety
- Energy efficient home in summer
- Budgeting for summer fun
July
Awareness Months:
- UV Safety Month
Holidays:
- Independence Day
Themes:
- Recreation
- Summer menu ideas
- Summer car safety
- Pool safety
- Sun safety tips & summer skin care
August
Awareness Months:
- Immunization Awareness Month
- National Eye Exam Month
Themes:
- Summertime digital detox
September
Awareness Months:
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
- National Yoga Month
Holidays:
- Labor Day weekend
Themes:
- Back to school
- Cold & flu season
- Grandparents Day
October
Awareness Months:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Energy Awareness Month
Holidays:
- Halloween
Themes:
- Winterizing your home and automobile
- Energy efficiency for winter
November
Awareness Months:
- Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
- National Family Caregiver Month
- National Diabetes Month
Holidays:
- Thanksgiving
- Veteran’s Day
Themes:
- Thanksgiving
- Travel
- Car safety
- Holiday budgeting
- Gift giving tips
- Black Friday
- Smart shopping tips
December
Holidays:
- Christmas
- Hanukkah
- Kwanzaa
Themes:
- Holidays
- Travel