Valley PR Blog

Don’t call me Meg!

By Charlotte Shaff on March 21st, 2008 In Media, Professional Development

I always get a chuckle or two when I attend PRSA Media Breakfast events and a panelist really clues the audience in to their pet peeves about PR people…Megan Finnerty at the Republic needs to look into stand-up comedy. She had us all in stiches with her “passive-aggressive” reactions to PR people.

I figured if I told you about this event, I may as well “blog” about it afterwards- Sam, Megan, Jess and Celine shared some hilarious stories of crazy and unique ways they are approached with pitches and how much variety you have for getting a client on their websites.

I guess poor Megan recieves unwanted texts from club promoters on her personal cellphone and can be pestered by publicists on her Facebook page (Big No-No’s according to the writer who is also not fond of strangers calling her “Sweetie” or “Meg”– FYI).

Sam Mittelsteadt and Jess Harter of the Tribune/Get Out expressed the always important point that they need a story behind a service or topic. Like, when your new restaurant has a $190 steak! The whole room gasped when Jess told us that he had to go through the menu to discover this…instead of the PR person noting this right off the bat!

Sam actually discussed a client of mine when he told us about a recent story pitch involving a guy who installs kegerators into people’s homes. He said they had immediate interest in the biz, but wanted to hear from the people who are using this service and why. (I just got this client a week or so ago, so when the reporter called my client up, I realized I didnt coach him well on offering up this aspect–so, I have some work to do on this….ugh.)

So, what else is new and interesting and VISUAL? Did you know you can have a video or photo slideshow done on your client’s business, event or product if its of interest? Let the reporter know about it and make sure you have great artwork and photos. Even if your client cringes at the cost of a hiring a photographer…you still may be able to get in with some decent resolution shots from a digital camera. Celine (who is the photo-video coordinator at the Republic and has such a beautiful accent) told us that she wants those great ideas and images…and her email system will not crash if you send a hi-res photo. Just don’t send her ten of them. One is good. or a link to a group of shots is best.

So, if your client has a visual and entertaining offering check out the Lifestyle, Entertainment web pages and special inserts in the Trib and Republic and their sister publications. There are a lot of options…just make sure you find what is unique and visual and pitch it by email and/or phone. All the panelist said they will be helpful and open to your pitches. In my experiences with them, they have and its much appreciated.

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