Lisa Cupolo of Ballston Spa, New York writes: “I handle public relations and marketing for Northwoods Health System, four rehabilitation and nursing home facilities that offer pediatric through geriatric care. “I’m looking for story ideas that I can pitch to the local business journal. The newspaper only focuses on hard business stories as opposed to… Read More
Print Media
Pitch stand-alone photos ideas to weekly newspapers
When Tom Holubowicz wanted publicity recently for his custard stand in Grafton, Wisconsin, he donned an ape costume and visited the local Pick ‘n Save supermarket to buy bananas for Monkey Pox, his “flavor of the day.” The recipe calls for bananas, custard and chocolate-covered peanuts. Before he left, he called The News Graphic, his… Read More
Spanish-language newspapers buck industry’s dismal trend
While many other newspapers are marching toward the graveyard, Spanish-language daily and weekly newspapers are seeing circulation and advertising revenue soar. The April 7 issue of PRWeek says La Opinion, a Hispanic newspaper, saw its circulation grow by 3.7 percent in September, the largest increase of any newspaper—in any language—in the United States. The readership of… Read More
Media bias helped Spitzer’s rise to power
I wish journalists everywhere would read the column headlined “Spitzer’s Media Enablers” in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. It was written by Kimberley A. Strassel, who covered the well-publicized investigations of Eliot Spitzer, the former New York prosecutor and governor who fell from grace this week after hiring high-priced call girls. Strassel writes the Journal’s Potomac Watch column… Read More
Ethics dispute blurs line between editorial, advertising
When I worked a newspaper editor 20 years ago, I would have been shocked to hear about a deal like this one between a hospital and a TV station. Today, however, it’s of little surprise. That’s because the line between editorial and advertising is blurred, and it’s getting fuzzier by the minute. WEAU TV-13 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin tried to… Read More
Whole Foods magazine will feature only its own products
If your product is for sale at Whole Foods Market, go ahead and pitch a story idea to the editor of Whole Foods magazine. But don’t waste your time pitching if your product isn’t sold there or if you think a story in the magazine can help get your product onto store shelves. That’s the advice… Read More
Another Way to Embarrass a Reporter
Publicity Hound Karen Pierce Gonzalez responded to last week’s item about the St. Louis politician who tried to embarrass a TV investigative reporter by answering the reporter’s question with comments about the reporter’s relationship with Jesus. He ended up embarrassing only himself. If you missed it, it’s the first item here: http://tinyurl.com/2uaubg Karen, who worked… Read More
Chicago media expand opportunities for commentary
If you’re pitching Chicago-area media like The Chicago Tribune, The Sun-Times and Chicago Public Radio, you have more opportunities than ever before to promote a particular cause, or state your opinion on an issue of community interest. All three media outlets were represented on a panel at a recent meeting of the Publicity Club of Chicago. The… Read More
Newspaper, radio layoffs, buyouts can work to your advantage
It’s time to say buh-bye to some of your favorite reporters. Right now, all over the U.S., there’s an exodus of experienced, high-profile, high-priced journalists taking early retirement. To boost profits, newspapers are offering buy-outs to some of their veteran staff members who will be replaced with cheaper, less experienced reporters and editors. Here in… Read More
How can a blogger become a paid newspaper columnist?
Kelly Moore of Des Moines, Iowa writes: “I have been the number-one ‘community’ (just a fancy way of saying ‘unpaid’) blogger for a local magazine in our city for more than a year. The magazine is owned by our city’s daily newspaper. Consequently, I was able to find out that my page-views not only outshine… Read More