Valley PR Blog

Pitch Me: Peter Corbett - Scottsdale Republic

By Linda VandeVrede on April 16th, 2008 In ValleySource

Name: Peter Corbett

Title: Business reporter and Scottsdale Real Estate columnist

Outlet: Scottsdale Republic

Website: www.scottsdalerepublic.com

Phone: 602-444-NEWS (6397)

Email: peter.corbett@scottsdalerepublic.com

1. What are your primary duties and responsibilities?

I primarily cover real estate and development issues in Scottsdale and the Northeast Valley. I also write about sports/business and general business coverage. I write for the Arizona Republic and Scottsdale Republic section. Many of the stories from the Scottsdale Republic are used as well in the Arizona Republic’s Business or News sections. I write a weekly Real Estate column that runs on Friday in the Scottsdale Republic.

2. What kinds of stories are you looking for?

I’m looking for development stories about upcoming residential and commercial projects and real estate trend stories. Some may end up as news briefs and others might be worth additional reporting to develop into a story or column.

3. What is the best way to approach you with a pitch?

Send an e-mail with the essential facts: who, what, when, where and why. And perhaps a few sentences on why this might be newsworthy.

4. What other recommendations do you have for PR professionals?

Keep a pitch short and don’t overdo it with follow-up e-mails or phone calls. No means no. Make sure you and your clients are available if I have questions. Include basic information including the address and major intersection (for example: southeast corner of Main Street and First Avenue) to help point readers in the right direction. And make sure it is in the Northeast Valley. Also, read the Republic sections so you have sense of who covers what. And let me know if another reporter is working the story.

5. What is the weirdest/strangest pitch you have ever received?

I got a pitch from the Shangri-La Ranch, a clothing optional “resort” in New River, which was celebrating National Nude Weekend. I went. We never published a story or photos but I got a great story that I’ve retold many times.

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