A marketing coordinator pitched me a story about a doctor who had appeared on Good Morning America (GMA) and other popular TV programs. (I assume the “other popular TV programs” were news broadcasts, not reality TV or primetime sitcoms.) I had heard of Good Morning America. That’s a national broadcast. That’s pretty cool. I get […]
The Media Prefers To Be Your First Read More »
When Keith pitches a story idea in a morning news meeting, it’s as if he’s staring into a countdown timer with big red numbers and everyone around the table is slowly drifting into their own worlds. If he doesn’t grab their cynical attention spans within the first few words and seconds, he will quickly lose
To Seduce the Media, Shorter is Better Read More »
A communications firm emails a reporter a story pitch. The reporter pitches the idea to managers and producers at a morning news meeting. One of the producers expresses interest, but it’s unclear if her interest will lead to a story airing. Fast forward two and a half weeks. A story in the news now makes
PR Is Like A Magic Show Read More »
I was walking with a co-worker when she acknowledged she should be back at her desk meeting a fast approaching deadline. She asked me why she didn’t care. I knew why. Shareholders and highly compensated executives whose holidays include potential bonuses are obvious stakeholders in a company’s success. But employees standing further down the corporate
Making Employees Feel Part of the Team Read More »
I call it The Flip Side because I offer both external and internal communications. My writing typically spotlights one or the other. But here’s an opportunity to kill two blogs with one subject. Keith and I were exchanging emails with someone about the possibility of refinancing. We’ve known her for years. She is very nice. Most importantly, we
Don’t Do The Lingo Read More »
A reporter overhears a co-worker say he faced a savvy PR person. Now this is news. Ears perk up. Most hard-nosed journalists prefer to complain about peeps in the PR world rather than give them credit. So this conversation sparks discussion. An employee got in trouble and the reporter wanted an on-camera interview with the employer. A
Savvy or Selfish PR? You Decide. Read More »
The discussion of assembling high speed rail lines across Arizona’s desert is not new. But the state recently passed a new plan of action and a group called Arizona PIRG wanted the media to hear more about the possibility of fast tracks. Two forces were moving against this effort: The media has heard much of this before.
PR On The Right Track Read More »
My husband Keith, a PHOENIX TV reporter, received a mass email pitch about a FLORIDA home for sale. Or maybe the angle was about the real estate firm now using social media? Either way, the email was off on many levels: There was nothing personal about it. The pitch could just have been a junk
Targeting Your Pitch: Location, Location, Location! Read More »
Do you ever think about the way you pitch your clients’ stories to the media as an extension of their brands? I like to think of what a brand is in a sensual way. (Don’t get the wrong idea – stay with me here.) Think of a brand as a tactile experience. It’s everything you
A Business Viewfinder: Show & Tell With The Media Read More »
Have you ever had to face an upset client because their product or company was not mentioned in a news story in which they were interviewed? Did you have an understanding with the reporter that there would be some type of verbal or visual recognition for your client? Do you have a standard way of
Getting your clients “proper respect” from the media Read More »
