Many business owners and PR people spend so much time pitching reporters and section editors at newspapers that they often forget about another important consideration: the newspaper’s editorial board. That’s the group of top editors who meet daily to decide the position that the newspaper will take on its editorials and set other newsroom policy.
It’s usually comprised of a few top editors and the editorial page editor. A face-to-face meeting with the editorial board can be ideal for letting them meet important people like your new CEO, or explaining your side of a controversial issue that they might not already have discussed on the editorial page. I wrote about other reasons to meet editorial boards.
When I worked as a newspaper editor, my editorial boards sometimes agreed to meet with newsmakers who were concerned about media bias, or with others who wanted to let us know about background information before a story broke.
But those meetings can be difficult to arrange because of the board’s other duties. And they don’t agree to meet with everyone who asks.
Chicago area business owners and PR people can meet one member from the editorial board of the city’s three major newspapers at the July 9 meeting of The Publicity Club of Chicago. A panel discussion will feature:
- Bruce Dold, Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor
- Ann Dwyer, Crain’s Chicago Business Deputy Managing Editor
- Tom McNamee, Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Page Editor
I’ve attended these luncheons and their panels are excellent. There’s usually enough time for many questions from the audience, and you can introduce yourself to the panelists afterward. But this isn’t the time to pitch!
The PCC monthly luncheon program will be held at Maggiano’s Restaurant, 516 N. Clark Street, Chicago.
It begins with registration and networking at 11:30 a.m., followed by a family-style lunch at noon. The program ends at 1:30 p.m. Register here.
Early registration rates are available for $40 (members), $55 (non-members), or $25 (students) through 5 p.m., July 7. Late registration rates of $50 (members), $65 (non-members), or $25 (students) apply through 3 p.m., July 8. Walk-in rates of $55 (members), $70 (non-members), or $30 (students) apply the day of the program. Students can also register for either the program only (free) or the program with dessert and beverage for only $10. Student ID must be shown.