When I read a correction in this morning’s paper, it reminded me to remind you that whenever a print reporter interviews you for a story, never ask if it’s OK to read the story before it’s printed because you’re afraid they’ll screw it up. That’s not the way the game is played, and it will label you as… Read More
Media Relations
Radio, TV talk shows need emergency guests
If you’ve been a guest on a TV or radio show and you’d love to make a return visit this summer, here’s a quick way to get the producer’s attention. Offer to fill in if a guest cancels or runs into travel problems. Radio and TV talk show hosts dread having to fill an entire hour… Read More
TV talk show guest wannabes make these critical mistakes
Here are the biggest mistakes people make when they pitch TV talk show producers. They pitch a producer whose name they added to their Rolodex four years ago, but they haven’t contacted the producer since then. They contact the wrong producer at the show and don’t know who’s the correct one for their topic. The lead the… Read More
Wall Street Journal changes health reporters
One of the biggest frustrations of generating publicity is getting to know a reporter, then watching her leave, or change beats. So it is with health reporters at The Wall Street Journal. The Navigator, a blog published by Bacon’s, reports that WSJ health reporter Sarah Lueck, 202-862-9245, has switched to the Congress beat. “In her place,… Read More
Pay-for-placement spreading to TV news
When I watch “The Sopranos,” my eyes are riveted on their refrigerator and kitchen cupboards, hoping to catch a peek at what America’s most dysfunctional mob family is eating these days. Son AJ chows down on Kellogg’s Corn Pops, and papa bear Tony guzzles Tropicana orange juice right out of the carton. Those product manufacturers… Read More
Do the media view you as a beggar?
Answer true or false to the following statements: —The first time I call a media outlet, it’s always to pitch a story idea about me, my company or my client even though I usually don’t read the publication or watch the program I’m pitching. —When I call, my pitches usually zero in on the product… Read More
Bulldog Reporter teleseminar on pitching will show you how to hit ’em out of the park
Not exactly hitting your pitches out of the ballpark? Join me and three other PR experts at 1 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, April 20, for a teleseminar on “Pitching Secrets from the Masters: How to Craft Flawless Pitches That Compel Coverage.” Joining me will be my buddy Paul Furiga, former editor of the Pittsburgh… Read More
NewsBios website wants you to nominate your favorite journalist
Have a favorite journalist, or one you’d like to get to know better? NewsBios, the subscription-based service that provides bios of print, broadcast and freelance journalists from around the world, is taking nominations for journalists who are a credit to their profession. Each week, the website will profile one or more journalists “who’ve demonstrated the best the… Read More
Radio talk shows: 6 traits of ideal hosts, guests
If you’re trying to figure out how to be a great guest on a radio talk show, just exhibit the same traits that stations demand in their hosts. In the February issue of Talkers magazine, talk show consultant John Mainelli who also covers radio for the New York Post, lists these six traits of the best hosts: A sense… Read More
State of the Media Report shows journalists more stressed than ever—good news for PR people
It’s a great day to be a PR person and a bad time to be a journalist. So says the March 20 issue of PR Week, in an article commenting on the third annual State of the Media Report written by the Project for Excellence in Journalism. The report found that the newspaper industry, in… Read More