Phoenix media, PR on Twitter
It seems all the world is a-twitter about Twitter. Everywhere I go, people have some sort of comment about it. They either love it, hate it or just don’t get it. Basically, its a micro-blog allowing you to communicate in 140 characters or less.
I work at home. So, Twitter has become a great way to have a virtual office of people I want to learn from or hear from at my fingertips. Its also become my instant news source. I also like to post client story links once in a while. But I have not really used Twitter to “pitch” someone directly. I think its a place to share thoughts and ideas and conversations, but not pester a reporter. Though, if one asks me for help with a story in a DM (Direct Message) I will surely help em out!
If you’d like to get started on Twitter, I suggest mixing a little bit of personal and a little bit of work and make sure to interact with others. Three examples of local PR people who seem to get that Twitter is not about pestering or pushing stories are @smshipley of PRIME 3, @JessicaLHansen of McMurry and @lumatts with PR for Cochise County. There are many others.
Looking to follow some local media? Here are a few I’d recommend:
@beverlykidd and @careypena3tv at KTVK Ch 3. They are interactive, friendly and promote their newcasts without pushing them on you. To get info on the news, follow @azfamily. For online news or to ask questions of specific segments in live chats, etc follow Natalie at @natsnews.
At KPNX 12 News, I learned about the new Twitter feed for the AM show while I was being interviewed there (LOL!) @perfectAMblend. The only other reporter I am aware of on Twitter at 12 is @brahmresnik, who I enjoyed following when he rode the light rail for the first time. @ERIC_WATSON is at 12 and currently posting tweets from the Serial Shooter trial.
Speaking of Gannett media, at the Arizona Republic you can follow @azcentral for general news updates, @azcdeals for deals in the Valley, or reporters such as @azbizreporter, @jaimeerose, @ezlomek, @glencreno or @tweetahwatukee.
At KPHO, CBS 5, follow @kpho. Friendly person at the desk who asks for ideas, wishes a good morning when signing on in the morning and loves to get suggestions for the daily online poll.
ABC 15 offers news updates @abc15. You can also see what reporter Tim Vetscher is working on @Tim_Vetscher.
No clue on anyone at FOX 10. They do have a profile, but its not being used.
The Phoenix New Times has a regular Twitter @nikidandrea who is a staff writer and tweets about articles, life and such. Her latest update was “Heading home. Thinking about tattoos.”
@evtrib (East Valley Tribune) only posts articles. Kind of a bummer at times. I wish they’d react more to what people are saying. A former journalist at the Trib, @nickmartin is great to follow, with a brand new blog full of “hard news” blog.
Also, he may not be local, but he might have a an immediate reporter query for you! @skydiver is Peter Shankman of Help a Reporter Out. Over the holidays, he gave away a ton of prizes for PR peeps stuck working.
I know this is the tip of the iceberg. If you follow someone you think others would be interested in, please let me know!
Tweet
Add your Comment
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!
Categories
Recent Comments
the rumors are true (@ Neighbor from the 90′s)...
Sorry to see you go. avic-x920bt
First the Space Shuttle program and now this???? OH NO!...
I think it’s really funny that Jason donates money...
Sad to see you go Mr Len… been a great ride
Blogroll
- Acme Photography
- Brain Matter
- Brian Shaler
- Convince & Convert
- Depth in PR
- Espresso Pundit
- Full Speed Marketing
- HMA Time
- Hoi Polloi Report
- It's About The Work
- Liquis Design Blog
- Mighty Interactive
- Off Madison Ave
- Park & Co.
- Park Howell
- Phoenix Defense
- Phoenix SEO
- PR Advice
- Quaintise
- Random Tuesday Morning Ramblings
- Sitewire Blog
- SoCal PR Blog
- Stealthmode Blog
- tdhurst
- The Marketing Journalist
- The One to Go To
- The PR Practitioner
- Think Fast
Comments
January 6th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Twitter happens to be a new obsession of mine and I can’t pretend that I don’t love to hear about your new puppies on there, too!
I agree with you that your personal Twitter should be a mix of business and pleasure. I’ve found that its more effective (and fun) to have a balance of daily, life items and work-related “pitch” items. Like anything else in communications, it seems to make you more approachable and “human” – not just a talking box.
Had no idea about those reporters, though. I’ll have to start following them.
-Katarina, @Little_k
January 7th, 2009 at 5:46 am
I forgot Christina Leonard! Follow her at @caleonard if you like state/county government and politics news.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Thanks for the great post, Charlotte! I’m flattered to be singled out as an example. I’ve found other colleagues that I’ll now follow based on the reporters’ tweets too. This networking thing really does work!
PS: I’m kinda bummed you changed your title. I think the initial “all a-twitter” was clever!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Great blog post, Charlotte! And thanks so much for the mention — I really appreciate it. I love Twitter and have found it to be an extremely useful tool for networking and learning from other PR professionals. There are so many great Twitter users that I would recommend following for various reasons. One suggestion is to use search.twitter.com and use keywords (IABC, PRSA, AMA, PR) to find other Twitter users updating their accounts with topics of interest to you. I always enjoy finding new people to follow, and I love seeing the increase in media using Twitter. It definitely seems the world is a-twitter with Twitter — it’s exciting!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Thank you so much for posting this, Charlotte! We have been trying to find local media to follow on Twitter but I only had a few of the contacts you listed. Great post!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am
What a great blog post (and thanks for the kind mention). You provided a lot of useful information and suggestions. I was happy to discover a few additional reporters to follow within your post as well.
As already mentioned a few times, Twitter is a great tool for networking and socializing as well as occasionally sending out some useful and pertinent information regarding your clients. I would highly recommend anyone who does not have an account try it out.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
What a great blog! All the people you mentioned are probably getting inundated at the moment
January 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I have been using VOTS_roads (Valley of the sun roads) to send out traffic reports that I see. Hopefully, others will start pitching in and we can get a good, usable traffic condition report from it. Easier to use when on the road than guessing which radio station is going to cover your side of town next.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Very nice! I’m a regular Phoenix PR Tweeter, and it’s always nice to find others!
@melissapr
January 7th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Ty Young (ex of Biz Journal, Republic) has the new Tech News Arizona site up and running (tho be warned they are still working out some kinks) at http://www.technewsarizona.com You can follow them @aztechnews on Twitter.
We posted about the site a few months ago here.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Great information, thank you!
Here are a few other PHX media to follow: @ljgliha, @ChristinaBoomer, @suedoerfler, @caleonard. @pogrady, @JesseinPhoenix, @FOXSPORTSAZ.
Lindsay
January 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Charlotte,
Nice post. Happy New Year. I’m enjoying following you and many of the others listed above.
For me, Twitter is the best tool for listening to all that’s happening in the social media/networking world, keeping up with news and connecting with interesting thought leaders.
Sam
January 8th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Great article Charlotte and thanks to everyone else who commented – I found some media on here that I wasn’t yet following!
For the Valley PR people that are pitching nationally/internationally, you’ll also definitely want to check out http://www.prblogger.com as he mentions reporters and editors who are on Twitter from across the US (including NY Times) and media to follow in the UK!
Kendra
@kdschultz
January 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Holy shmackers what a great list of twitter folks to follow. I think I found nearly 10 above that I wasn’t yet following. Thanks!
January 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I love it b/c it has taught me to be a “man of few words.” I’ve learned to say a whole lot w/only 140 characters of space allotted. Thx. -B
Look at that! I only used 139 characters for that comment.
@rarmendariz
@BannerGoodSam
links for 2009-01-08 Says:
January 8th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
[...] Valley PR Blog » Blog Archive » Phoenix media, PR on Twitter [...]
January 13th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I’m new to the Valley, so nice to learn all these local Twitterers. Communitelligence uses @Commntelligence for updates on what’s new, and we launched @Commprhelp for corporate communicators to ask for help from their colleagues. And my personal account is @jgerst.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:50 am
@jreneebuchholz and @pogrady twitter regularly and work for Phoenix Business Journal.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:36 am
@Jennifervogel & @12newskevin – reporters for NBC 12