Valley PR Blog

Young, Az Tech News filling critical niche

By Dan Wool on June 23rd, 2008 In ValleySource

Earlier this year, technology reporter Ty Young left the Phoenix Business Journal to pursue freelance projects. One of these, Az Tech News (www.aztechnews.net), launched in April and is rapidly gaining momentum. With some of the world’s leading technology companies calling Arizona home, Young and Az Tech News are filling an important niche — or rather, a hole in local media coverage. We caught up with Ty last week.

What is Az Tech News?

What is Az Tech News? It’s more like, “where can I find Az tech news”? Think about it. What publication can you turn to every day to find out about the entire state technology sector? If you’re still thinking, STOP! There is no Arizona-based daily tech journal. In fact, you can count the number of science and technology reporters in this state on two hands – maybe one if you’re that guy from The Princess Bride. Yet science and technology are the future of our world and Arizona is in many ways poised to make some major waves. But if the press doesn’t cover it, how will the population find out?

I created Az Tech News because I am ashamed that the mainstream press in Arizona does not put an emphasis on technology reporting. Look at San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, San Diego, and any other technological-haven in the U.S. Not only do they have unbelievable technology-based economies, but they have reporters covering the stories. The public appreciates the tech world because the media cares enough to cover it.

What’s your vision for the site?

My vision for Az Tech News involves educating the public about the reality of technology here while giving the tech sector the news it needs on a daily basis. It’s a lofty goal, but if I can push the discussion out from the labs, clean rooms and boardrooms and into the general public, maybe the future generations will be inspired to create technology, rather than take it for granted.

How’d it get going? What inspired you to start the site?

I started Az Tech News in April. It’s on a blog site right now, but I know just enough HTML to add a little personalization. I treat it like a publication, not a blog, however. Most of our readers are in Arizona, California and Washington D.C. It’s being read in 45 states and 32 countries as of today. But it’s all been word-of-mouth. The tech community has been very supportive, which makes me believe I’ve hit a necessary niche here.

What are your highlights so far?

I think coverage of the Qwest deregulation issue in Phoenix has been the most important of our stories. This could be the most important telecommunications decisions in the Phoenix metro area ever, but for some reason, nobody else is covering it! But that’s why I created the site, to give readers something that mainstream media cannot, or does not want to.

What types of content are you looking you for? Any specific areas of interest?

Until I get some more writers on board, my coverage will be limited to high-level issues like Qwest’s petition in front of the FCC or super-innovative breakthroughs like the NASA Phoenix Mars Lander mission. You all know that I will not do business profiles. That’s OK though, because I’ll be adding advertising on the site in the near future!

I would like to do more product reviews. That means everything from wireless phones to software to Internet sites. I really like getting into my work and understanding the mechanics and principles behind technology. Plus, I like the gear. Gotta love the gear!

How can PR folks help out? How should they pitch you?

PR folks can help me by sending me money. OK, just pitch me a free beer at the bar. OK, here’s the deal. My site is designed for depth. Sure, there’s the quick-hit breaking news and stuff like that, but I want to dig deep into issues. I’ll be honest; I’m not the easiest reporter to pitch stories too. Something about being skeptical, I guess.

But if you can show me WHY a story is important, and HOW it affects people, then I’m more likely to email you back. Other media outlets beg for exclusivity. I think that is pathetic. Az Tech News works to expose the truth, whether it comes from my site first or not. But I do like being first on a story.

Oh yeah, don’t call me unless you’ve been given the pass to the inner-circle of tech PR folk. I tend to wake up around noon. People that call me before then tend to get the less-than-happy side of Ty. Shoot me an email and I’ll get back to you.

What can PR reps expect if you decide to write about their client(s)?

Ever since I was the Web editor of The Arizona Daily Wildcat, back in 2000, I wanted to create a multimedia platform for telling stories. Finally, technology has caught up to my ideas and now I have the control to put it to work.

Red tape is great for fixing a tail light, not running a publication.

So, if I write a story about one of your clients, it’s probably going to involve video, picture spreads and text. Of course, I am only one man and no matter how many pots of coffee I drink, I can only do so much. So, assuming you have a good pitch, you’ll get a multimedia story that can be emailed out worldwide to anybody you want (although China has some restrictions, but I think we can work past them).

This is just one project for you. What else have you been up to since leaving the Business Journal?

It seems like years since I was in the newsroom! I really miss the energy and the camaraderie. I spend a lot of time typing stories from my home-office and discussing story ideas with the dog and cat. But seriously, I’ve spent time writing a book about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Arizona and have done a lot of freelance writing. The Arizona Republic has asked me to write about the upcoming Little League All-Star tournaments. It’ll be strange jumping back into that arena after covering it for years back in the day.

I’m also working on creating a technology-reporting curriculum for high school and university students. I’ve had some interest from some Arizona schools already. Tech reporters are the most sought-after reporters in the industry, yet there are so few out there. If I can reach some journalism students at an early age, maybe we can push the technology discussion out further into the public.

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