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
Media Relations
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
Liberal media on the rise—Here’s how to pitch
The March 13 issue of PR Week reports that liberal media seem to have a heightened profile, mostly because of the opposition to the war in Iraq. Progressive magazines, blogs, radio and TV programs are reporting bigger audiences. That means it’s a great time for Publicity Hounds to pitch. PR Week offers these tips: “Many progressive outlets don’t have… Read More
Fake press passes: If you use them or see them, contact me
I attend a popular trade show each year where several people I know create fake press passes so they don’t have to pay the hefty admission fee. It’s easier than ever, thanks to desktop publishing. But get caught, and you risk looking like a cheapskate. Even worse, you can ruin your reputation within that industry.… Read More
How to address journalists might phase Miss Manners, but not the journalists
Cheryl Beck, a freelance writer from Ray Township, Michigan writes: “I have been wondering about the proper way to address journalists/editors. When I call and pitch, after a reporter answers, do I address them as they have introduced themselves? If you answered ‘Hello this is Joan’ do I say ‘Hello Joan I am…and calling from…’ or… Read More
Questions reporters ask might be offbeat, unexpected
I’m going to ask you three questions and I want you to take as much time as you need to think about each one before you answer. Here we go: —If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? And why? —If you were on a desert island, what three… Read More
Publicity tip–Survey shows PR people think following Associated Press style in press releases is still important
A new survey by a group of business communicators shows that if you aren’t referring to an Associated Press stylebook when writing press releases, letters to the editor or anything else for the media, it shows you really don’t know how to play the publicity game. The AP stylebook is the journalist’s bible. It includes all the rules dictating things such as the… Read More
Publicity tip–Attend business journal meetings on how to use the paper as a prospecting tool
If the business journal in the town where you live invites you to attend a meeting at the paper where you’ll learn lots of tips on how to use the newspaper as a sales tool, you’d be crazy not to go. Thanks to Publicity Hound Carol Rehak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for tipping me off to the invitation… Read More
Publicity tip–What to do when the media won’t cover a runner, walker coming through your town
When I worked in the world of newspapers more than 10 years ago, we’d get the occasional call from a publicist telling us that somebody was walking, or running, or getting down on his hands and knees and pushing a peanut with his nose through our town, and they wanted us to cover it. You can guess what our answer… Read More