by Mira Marcus. Mira participated in the 2011 ROI Summit. She works for the international communication consulting firm, Headline Media, which will be running a Strategic Media Training Workshop for ROIers on September 4, 2011. The workshop will be held at the ROI offices in Jerusalem.

The first time I met the ROI phenomenon was at last year's summit. I was invited to give a master class on the topic of "How to interview to the media."

I approached the area of the summit, and immediately felt the passion in the air. The master class was oozing with talented people. I felt it in my bones: "I must be part of this adventure in next year's summit!"

A year passed, and I found myself re-entering the hall of passion, this time as a proud ROIer. Again, I was intended to teach a skills session on the topic of "How to ace your media interview," representing the company I work for, Headline Media.

Headline Media is an international communication consulting firm comprised of journalists from CNN, ABC News and several other international networks. Leading organizations including the world’s largest political and diplomatic bodies, multinational corporations, governmental institutions and international NGO’s all turn to us for communications and media solutions, including Media and Presentation Training, Public Relations services and Media Crisis Management. I have had the pleasure to work with the UN, the Israeli foreign ministry, the IDF, the Jewish Agency and of course – ROI, in addition to many more organizations that understand the importance of transmitting their message to the foreign media.

ROI and the Schusterman Fund also identified the potential of media training and press coverage for all the ROIer's projects, organizations, initiatives and leadership. Thus, they have opened the option for every ROIer to apply for a Micro Grant with Headline Media – for a variety of services essential for the success of every beginning ROIer such as Media Training, Presentation Training,  Public Relations services and more.

To date, it has been a pleasure working with the ROIers on the media aspects of their initiatives. Among others, I have worked with the wonderful Dina Buchbinder Auron on how to get her organization's message out there using the many media interviews she is invited to in regards to her organization "Sports to Share" on Mexican Television. We have also "pounded out" TV interview simulations and media strategy for Yuval Passov's "Sunshine" organization, crafting the winning soundbite to get his message across. Michal Ben-Dov's "Camp USA" worked with us on the perfect press release to cover her organization's important goal, picked up by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency!

I have found myself acceding the dream: not only am I an ROI member this year, but I have the privilege to assist fellow ROIers in their paths to media coverage and success. This is only the beginning of the journey, can't wait to continue it with my fellow ROIers!