By Mark Macias
TV and newspaper reporters face different deadlines, which means one size does not fit all when it comes to pitching. The best PR firms understand the best times to approach journalists. And it’s not as obvious as you think. This is one of the many insider tactics MACIAS PR applies when getting our story ideas in front of reporters.
A journalist’s deadline varies by beat and city but generally speaking, every TV reporter — that files a daily story — is under deadline three hours before the newscast.
Many publicists know the unwritten rule is to never pitch a story during a newscast, but that’s not always the case. There are times when it is not only appropriate but strategic to pitch during a newscast.
When are the best times to pitch TV reporters?
Specialty reporters don’t file reports every day so they could be approached during the newscast, but it’s not as clear cut as the title. It takes a little digging to identify the right time to hit these reporters.
As a specialty producer in the consumer and health units with many local TV stations, I rarely received calls during our newscast even though I was free. I wasn’t under deadline. I was unwinding for the day, and receptive to hearing new pitches.
And during my time as an Executive Producer with NBC and Senior Producer with CBS in New York, I worked with all of these specialty reporters. I got to see when they were also open to being approach. We apply this insider knowledge to every campaign.
If you want to get your story on local TV, reach out to MACIAS PR. We will find a mutual time to discuss a strategy – as long as it’s not during our coveted “reporter” time. 🙂
Marketing peers named MACIAS PR the 2017 and 2018 Strategic PR Firm of the Year. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, Finance Monthly named MACIAS PR the Financial PR Firm of the Year. The founder – Mark Macias – is a former Executive Producer with NBC and Senior Producer with CBS in New York. He’s also a frequent contributor with CNBC and author of the books, Beat the Press: Your Guide to Managing the Media and the Tao of PR.