When I worked as a newspaper editor for more than 20 years, I had my own pet peeves about people who were clueless about working with the media. They included: –Idiots who called to complain, “You’ve written about my competitor three times but you’ve never written about me!” –News releases that didn’t list the name… Read More
Media Relations
Invite reporter with a pet to cover vet clinic opening
Beth Ann Black of Coppell, Texas has a client, a large group of specialty veterinarians–all for animals–that will celebrate their fifth anniversary this spring. She wants fun promotional ideas, beyond the one they’ve already thought of: hosting an open house where current and potential clients bring teddy bears to be examined so the doctors can… Read More
How to do background checks on reporters
In my workshop “Hey Boss, Mike Wallace is on Line 2,” I share a sneaky tip about how to do background checks on reporters. Not the kind that will tell you whether they’ve been picked up for drunken driving or filed for bankruptcy. Rather, the kind that will help you determine what kind of interviewer… Read More
The Business Journal’s Book of Lists party
It was a night of swashbuckling fun, complete with a pirate treasure game, foods of the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, and even a special “Pirate’s Pleasure” drink made with Goldschlager, triple sec and rum. It was The Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists bash at a downtown Milwaukee hotel on January 20, in honor of… Read More
Good news for newspaper readers
Newspapers have tried a variety of tactics over the last 20 years to reverse those sliding circulation figures. They’re writing shorter stories, using more color and graphics, and placing a greater emphasis on local news. But few of those tricks seem to be doing much good. The News & Record, a daily newspaper in Greensboro,… Read More
Less is more when contacting the media
Inexperienced Publicity Hounds make the frequent mistake of inundating media people with too much information. For example: –Sending an unsolicited media kit along with a pitch letter, with grand illusions of the journalist spending hours poring over your materials. (Dream on). –Sending an unsolicited book, with hopes that a radio talk show host will find… Read More
Things to consider when hiring a publicist
At least once a week, somebody emails me and asks if I can recommend a good publicist. Sure, I could. But usually, I don’t. That’s because you need to consider dozens of factors before hiring one. –How much money can you spend? –Do you want to get into only big national media, or do you… Read More
Congratulate journalists
From now until June, you’ll be seeing articles about journalists whose newspapers, magazines, TV stations and radio stations have won industry awards. The American Society of Newspaper Editors, for example, announced its 2005 winners recently. Why is this important to Publicity Hounds? Because these awards are important to journalists. And if one of the award-winners… Read More
Beware of the confidante
File this under the category of tricks reporters use to loosen your lips. I’m speaking specifically about the reporter who acts like a confidante–a trusted friend who is standing by ready to hear about your problems, and then commiserate. Here are phrases they might use: "Don’t you think it’s terrible that…" "I don’t think it’s… Read More
Create fun for reporters
Opening a new pizza shop? Invite a reporter to the shop so the client can teach her how to make a pizza. Tell her she’ll even learn how to twirl the dough around on her fist, then throw it up in the air and catch it. Opening a hardware store? Invite a reporter to a… Read More