Valley PR Blog

Pitch Me — Chad Graham

By Len Gutman on October 24th, 2007 In ValleySource

Chad Graham is the new full-time editor of the Arizona Republic’s Biz Buzz feature and we’re pleased to offer Valley PR Blog readers this exclusive introduction…

Name:    Chad Graham
Title:      Business Reporter
Outlet:   Arizona Republic
Phone:   602-444-8577
Email:    chad.graham@arizonarepublic.com

What do you do at The Republic?
I write the daily Biz Buzz column that appears in the business section.

What kinds of stories are you looking for?
Items should have a strong, local business angle. We like newsy rumors of impending developments, shakeups, mergers and business people who are out of sorts with other business people. We also like to make readers laugh and give them a sense of living in the Valley.

What’s the best way to approach you with a pitch?
Email it with plenty of time before the event. We work about a week ahead of publication. I try to respond to every pitch. If you don’t hear back, it’s fine to call.

What recommendations do you have for PR professionals?
-If you have pitched other reporters/publications on the same item, please give me a head’s up.-Do your research. What have The Republic and other publications written about this topic? The more original an item, the better chance it has.

-Pertinent questions to ask before pitching: Does this item fit in The Buzz or should it be pitched to another section of the newspaper? Is there a solid business angle to this item? What makes this item new and different?

-Is this item more appropriate for a company newsletter? An office holiday party or an annual donation drive probably will not make the cut.

-Don’t be scared to be an anonymous tipster. I protect sources.

-Keep the pitches coming. If it can’t be used in The Buzz maybe it can be used in another part of the business section. For example, Marcia Gaysue handles promotions and hires (marcia.gaysue@arizonarepublic.com)

What’s the strangest/weirdest pitch you’ve ever received?
One happened just a few minutes ago. A Valley real estate firm requires its employees to dress like bananas at various business events. New employees must even sign a waiver agreeing to dress like bananas when they accept the job. The item had a local/business angle and had not been reported in the newspaper. The company is likely to get a Buzz item.

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