Valley PR Blog

Good tips from North Scottsdale media this morning

By Linda VandeVrede on January 14th, 2010 In Best Practices, Pitching

Great media breakfast this morning, featuring three editors from Scottsdale media and put on by PRSA’s Phoenix chapter.   I sat next to an enclave of team members from www.kwprgroup.com, and took copious notes.

Peter Corbett, Scottsdale Republic

• prefers local calls vs. calls coming in from NY, LA, etc
• appreciates it when PR contacts make the information understandable.  “Get to the point, break it down (no jargon).”  One phrase he used as an example of jargon was “business solutions” – so strike that from your press release copy!
• with smaller staffs at the publications these days, the reporters’ jobs are more challenging
• he has seen extremely aggressive PR tactics, and discourages that approach
• His deadlines are usually two days out

Michelle Glicksman, So Scottsdale and Scottsdale Health magazines

• because of the economy, editors like Michelle are stretched thin.  She relies on PR people more.  Downside – she can’t always be at events, since she handles so much of the publication activities, from concept to coordinator to the words on the page
• she prefers email vs phone calls.  She receives so many emails, however, that she can’t get through them all each day – be patient and resend her information if you don’t hear from her
• There is no hard and fast deadline, as she is working on multiple publications at a time

Kimberly Hundley - Scottsdale Airpark News

• if your news is about the people who work, play, live in North Scottsdale, you’ve got her.  The publication is very geographically focused. 
• Or, find an angle that ties into north Scottsdale
• She has no staff – it’s just her.   It helps if you run the story idea by her and write the copy, based on her input regarding angle.  
• She doesn’t answre the phone at work.   Best line of the day:  “Some people believe in the power of the phone.  DON’T believe in the power of the phone.”
• She discourages PDF attachments because they make it difficult to cut and paste.  Use Word if you have to use an attachment.
• Make it easy for her to use photos – don’t send her to an FTP site and tell her to download what she needs.
• As far as deadlines go, it’s a monthly publication.  “We’re always reacting.”  

Miscellaneous tips from the panel:

• cut to the chase in the subject line of the email pitch you send
• make sure you have the business address in there
• if you list a client, make sure they’ll talk when called
• make sure of your facts
• when you send photos, make sure they’re high-resolution, jpeg format
• social media is especially good if you h ave something as a giveaway or discount, which the publication can then tweet to their community
• the separation of church and state (advertising and editorial) isn’t as rigid as it once was.   Magazines have to put their advertisers first, and often have to pass on competitors’ stories.  
• they don’t use twitter too extensively because they are in essence one-man shops – it’s difficult to do everything.  

Share This

Hide Sites

Want Your Picture Icon? Go to gravatar.com and set a picture up to your email address for free. It also works on thousands of other websites, too!