During a Media Matters editorial meeting, we discussed angles for this lead article and how to pitch a story to media was one idea. We thought it may have been too basic because surely professional PR/media practitioners know this stuff? We decided to do some frontline research and were surprised to find that the majority of people pitching stories are doing it the wrong way. We know this because we decided to ask the only people qualified to answer that question – we asked the gatekeepers of Australia’s news – the radio and television producers, influential freelance journalists and news desk editors – how to pitch a story. Their full and frank comments have given Media Manoeuvres the latest guide to pitching a story. Ignore it at your peril.
Feature Article
The Dreaded Follow Up Call
“Hi this is Janey from AcmePR. I was just wondering if you received the press release on our new product.”
This type of phone call is the bane of every journalist, editor, reporter and producer working in the media.
“I really hate the follow up call,” said a leading Australian magazine editor.
“Ninety-nine times out of one hundred it is from a poor PR lackey that has been told to ring you and ask you this banal question and whether you are going to do a story on it.”
The follow up call that has no value, does nothing except interrupt someone and ask him or her if they have received something they are likely to have received.
Not all media releases go out to the media never to be heard of again. They can be a valid source of news ideas. “If I see something in a media release that I think has value, then I will ring,” said one Fairfax reporter. “In fact, I have rung several people today on the back of media releases.” [Read more…] about The Dreaded Follow Up Call
Has Opinion Become The New News Angle?
It seems these days that news is no longer solely the domain of hard facts, events and people doing extraordinary things — there is another element driving the media agenda – opinion.
Whether it be comments from twitter, blogs, surveys, polls or talk back radio – public opinion is dominating much of the news.
Even journalists are no longer objective reporters of the truth; many have become commentators in their own right. A reporter interviewing another reporter has become commonplace.
[Read more…] about Has Opinion Become The New News Angle?
Has social media killed the media release?
In the frenetic rush to adapt to the shiny, new tools of social media, some public relations professionals are in danger of trampling on a tried and
proven method of communicating – the media release. Media Manoeuvres Managing Director, Sam Elam believes social media is adding great value to the traditional media release as part of an
integrated media relations approach.
[Read more…] about Has social media killed the media release?
You Can Run But You Can’t Hide
Tiger Woods might have written the book on how to make squillions from a tiny white ball.
But he – and most importantly his advisers (or should that be ill-advisors?) – won’t be penning a guide on handling a crisis in the media any day soon.
It’s true that keeping a stable of cocktail waitresses when you are a famous, married, sanctimonious, golfing family man is probably always going to be a tasty global media meal. [Read more…] about You Can Run But You Can’t Hide
Maintain your school’s positive reputation
In this competitive world, it’s vital that you establish and maintain a positive reputation for your school with careful communications planning. Sam Elam and Katrina Byers explain how. [Read more…] about Maintain your school’s positive reputation