Wes Mangum’s Post

Sophia Atwell, MBA tackles the challenging #PR subject of how to pitch under embargo. Too often brands and their PR teams publish a release over a wire and expect media coverage, a strategy that usually falls woefully short. Sophia is one of FischTank's many media relations experts, and dives into nuances around: ✅ Establishing embargo terms ✅ Customizing messaging ✅ Conducting transparent (key word!) and direct media outreach and engagement with prominent #journalists ✅ The importance of assets like press releases, photos and data ✅ How to follow up appropriately with the right journalists ✅ Why you must monitor closely before and after the announcement occurs Do you have an opinion about pitching under embargo? Let us know in the comments 👇 https://lnkd.in/e9STyKkD #mediarelations #publicrelations #media

Check my blog post on Embargo pitching

Journalists are constantly looking for newsworthy stories to write about, and one of the ways they discover these stories is through pitches from public relations (PR) agencies. However, receiving a flood of unsolicited pitches can be overwhelming for journalists, so it's important for PR agencies to understand the best way to approach journalists with their story ideas. According to a survey conducted by Cision, a global media intelligence company, 75% of journalists prefer to receive pitches via email. This is likely because email allows journalists to review and respond to pitches at their own pace, without feeling pressured to make an immediate decision. It's also important for PR agencies to make sure their emails are personalized and tailored to each journalist's interests and beat. In addition to email, social media is becoming an increasingly popular way for journalists to connect with PR professionals. According to the same survey, 25% of journalists prefer to receive pitches through social media channels like Twitter and LinkedIn. However, it's important for PR agencies to use social media appropriately and not to bombard journalists with unsolicited messages. Another important factor in successfully pitching to journalists is timing. According to a survey by Muck Rack, a public relations and communications platform, the best time to pitch a journalist is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on weekdays. However, this can vary depending on the journalist's schedule and the type of story being pitched. Ultimately, the key to successfully pitching to journalists is to build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. PR agencies should take the time to research the journalist's beat and interests, and tailor their pitch accordingly. By understanding the needs and preferences of journalists, PR agencies can increase their chances of getting their story in the news. #pr #publicrelations #pragencies

🔔 Ever Wonder Why Some Press Releases Get Immediate Coverage While Others Get Lost in the Shuffle? 🔔 In the fast-paced world of public relations, having a strong media contact section in your press releases is not just a detail—it's crucial for maximizing coverage and credibility. Here’s why: ✨ Boosts Your Media Coverage Journalists are on tight deadlines. A press release with clear, accessible contact details gives them a direct line to your PR team, speeding up the coverage process. Missed contact info = missed opportunities! ✨ Establishes Professionalism Including media contacts shows that your PR agency is organized, media-friendly, and ready for collaboration. It's an essential element that builds trust with journalists and positions your brand as a reliable source. ✨ Maintains Control of the Narrative Want to ensure your message is heard loud and clear? Providing easy access to a media contact ensures that journalists get the right information from the right person, avoiding misquotes or inaccuracies. ✨ Strengthens Media Relationships As PR professionals, we understand that fostering relationships with the press is key to long-term success. Having a designated media contact shows you’re open to collaboration and creates ongoing opportunities for future partnerships. Don’t overlook this small but critical aspect of your press releases! Make sure every release coming out of your agency includes a clearly identified PR contact to keep the media coming back to you. 👉 How are you handling media contacts in your PR efforts? Let’s connect and discuss how we can elevate your media relations strategy! #PRAgency #PressRelease #MediaRelations #PRStrategy #BrandAwareness #Journalism #PRPros

Must-Read for PR Pros! 📢 If you’re looking to level up your media relations game, check out this insightful blog by Oluwatomi Lawal here at Your Story PR. Oluwatomi shares her top 25 journalists who’ve made a significant impact on her PR journey, complete with insights on building strong media relationships. Whether you’re new to PR or a seasoned pro, this piece is packed with actionable advice and recommended reads. Don’t miss it! Ft Claer Barrett Rohan Banerjee Jennifer Sieg Rick Dagley Stefano De Marzo Akansha Dimri Anna Wood Trevor Clawson Katie Sanders Dana Leigh #PR #TechPR #MediaRelations #PRStrategy

What do journalists really think of PR people? We like to think they find us helpful! At Honest Communications UK, we’re constantly checking in with our connections to make sure our ways of working with them align with how they like to work. Cision recently published its “State of the Media” report which shows that… ✨37% of journalists said they rely on data more than last year ✨67% source data from social media ✨74% want press releases for generating story ideas, and 55% want exclusives. The survey also asked journalists what PR professionals can do to make their lives easier. The resounding answer was “Understand my target audience and what they find relevant”. This is key. And this is where PR agencies thrive. With journalists receiving 50 pitches per week, it can be easy for brands to get lost so it’s vital to have engaging, headline grabbing content that tells a story. Most marketing managers can put together a basic press release and fire it out (or you’d hope they can), but creating standout content requires expertise and knowing what makes good content is where PR agencies come in. Even more than that, that’s where specialist agencies (like Honest!) come in – we know the media in our sector, we know what they write out, their style, their topics and their tone. We know what works and what their readers respond to. Our industry insight and expertise ensure that our clients’ stories not only get noticed but make an impact. The report is really interesting – I highly recommend having a flick through! https://lnkd.in/etQKK5q2 #pr #publicrelations #mediarelations #journalism

Interesting findings from Cision's 2024 State of Media report. 74% of journalists surveyed want to receive news announcements/press releases from PR professionals. 61% want to receive original research. The #1 thing PR pros can do to help journalists is to understand their target audience and what they would find relevant (68%). Their top three annoyances from PR professionals are spamming them with irrelevant pitches (77%); providing inaccurate or unsourced information (62%); and pitches that sound like marketing brochures (55%). https://lnkd.in/gJe27X37 #PR #PublicRelations #MediaRelations #journalism #journalists

Hop on board! 🚆 DESTINATION: PR SUCCESS Journey with us as we give you the guide to genuine journalist relationships... It is so important to build genuine relationships in the realm of PR and this approach can really drive long-term success and results. Our latest blog gives you a specific strategy for building good journalist relationships & how you can hone this skill and improve your interactions with journalists on a regular basis… https://hubs.ly/Q02Jxtjf0 #WeAreITPR #PuttingTheRelationsBackIntoPublicRelations #PRAgency

Establishing and nurturing connections with journalists is crucial for securing impactful coverage. Our latest blog dives into the art of journalist relations, offering actionable tips to forge meaningful partnerships and maximize PR success. Find the Right Journalist: Use tools like Propel to target relevant journalists aligned with your focus. Become a Valuable Resource: Personalize communication, leverage real-time trends, and offer timely insights. Nurture Relationships: Engage on a personal level, foster mutual respect, and trust. Maintain a PRM: Streamline relationship management with tools like Propel for targeted outreach. Remember, Journalists Are Human: Prioritize authenticity and genuine engagement. Ready to enhance your media relations strategy? Let's dive deeper! Read the entire blog here! https://lnkd.in/dBngRihM

Newsjacking, also known as reactive media relations, involves keeping a close eye on the media landscape, discovering alignment with your organisation’s work, and offering the media an alternative angle, delivering a win-win situation which raises awareness of your work. Here are our top five tips for newsjacking: 1. Monitor the news closely It is critical to constantly analyse the media landscape so you are aware of stories, and are able to act before they reach the height of their circulation. 2. Choose the right stories Not all stories will be right for newsjacking. Jumping onto narratives that are overly negative or not completely relevant may appear forced or insincere, and damage your organisation’s reputation. 3. Consider your organisation’s unique voice Newsjacking is done best when your organisation has a clear role to play in the conversation. Journalists will be most interested when you have a unique voice and message that contributes to the narrative in a new way. 4. Be ready to adapt quickly The media moves fast and communicators have to be ready to change tactics and key messages on the fly to avoid being left behind. 5. Stay true to your brand voice While the rapid nature of newsjacking requires quick development of statements, shape these off your brand’s key messages, ensuring that any media attention you get contributes to your long-term objectives.