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Public & Media Relations, Communications,Media Projects
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byTV Reporters, Producers & Bookers
Please note that the opinions expressed in this informal survey aresolely the opinions of the TV professionals and not of their stations or networks.
 John Lee Media John Lee Media
 
Public & Media Relations, Communications, Media Projects
New York, NY johnlee@johnleemedia.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnleemedia 
 
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 TVTV
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Media watchdog, media advocate media educator are among the roles played by the Fair Media Council, a Long Island based organization which It offers programs thought theyear designed to empower citizens and groups in their interactions with media, thebiggest of which is its annual Connection Day.The event featured 24 sessions, lead by panels heavy on media professionals but alsoincluding civic leaders and public relations people. Representing the publicist’sviewpoint, I joined a panel called “Pitching TV Reporters” which included Telemundoreporter Liz Gonzalez, RBB-TV & FIOS TV news director Phil Corsentino, MY9News VP& News Director Jim Driscoll, Chris Collora of New York 1, and ably moderated by PatrickHalpin of the Institute for Student Achievement.Among the takeaways:
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Pitch the right person at the TV outlet to pitch (and spell their name right!)
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Pitch by email and make the subject line and opening sentence strong.
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Remember that TV is visual medium, but don’t forget that it’s the STORY that sells
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Make sure the reporter is cleared to park and alert security that TV is coming
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Arrange for interviewees and prep them towards avoiding long rambling responses andalert them to the type of interview they will be in.
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Don’t just line-up experts and CEOs, bring people into story that are affected by thestory.
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TV resources are stretched thin with fewer people to fill the same amount of newshours. Provide the reporter with all the story elements needed including, guests,props, and pertinent video to enable them to do their job as efficiently as possible
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TV coverage can be intrusive--multiple vehicles may arrive (early or late or not at all)the TV truck may need to park in a particular location to get a signal out, cable mayneed to be run, a quiet location may need to be secured. The publicists should makesure management is supportive of having TV on site, and see that the benefits of TVcoverage outweigh any inconveniences.
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Spanish language TV is growing—don’t forget to pitch Telemundo and Univision andfind someone on the fluent in Spanish to be available as spokesperson
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Don’t oversell-a good story sells itself.
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Under promise and over deliver And one more takeaway—In advance of Connection Day, I had surveyed a select groupof reporters, producers and bookers for their advice on how to pitch a TV story. Their responses follow...
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