If you have a consumer product that would make a great gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation Day, or the holidays, try to get into one of the many holiday gift sections featured by newspapers and magazines, or featured in holiday gift coverage on TV and radio. Most of this coverage does NOT require that you buy an ad. And in many cases, … [Read more...]
Authors: Pitch issues & shows, not your books
If you're writing a book, here's a tip that savvy authors already know. When you're trying to get onto a TV or radio show, never pitch your book. As soon as guest bookers realize you're peddling a book, you're toast. Instead, pitch a relevant issue … [Read more...]
Pay-for-placement spreading to TV news
When I watch "The Sopranos," my eyes are riveted on their refrigerator and kitchen cupboards, hoping to catch a peek at what America's most dysfunctional mob family is eating these days. Son AJ chows down on Kellogg's Corn Pops, and papa bear Tony guzzles Tropicana orange juice right … [Read more...]
Fitness, weight loss still big during February sweeps
Several weeks ago, I posted an item about how January was a big month for fitness and weight loss stories, because people were trying to get back on track after the holidays. The media's love for these stories spills into February, one of … [Read more...]
TV loves fitness, diet stories during January
My Jazzercise instructor has already warned us to be braced for packed classes this month. That's because this is the month when everybody tries to take off what they gained over the holidays. TV stations everywhere want to know about these stories. Here's an almost guaranteed way to get your company on the local TV news. The tip comes from my … [Read more...]
Pitch “how to” segments for TV talk shows, news
This time of year is perfect for pitching a "how to" segment for a local or national TV talk show or a newscast. For example: ---Demonstrate how to carve a pumpkin. If you're pitching to a local talk show, carve the local TV station's call letters into the pumpkin. How in the world could a producer not want that segment? ---If you're a foodie, … [Read more...]
CDs, tapes available from Media Relations 2005
If you missed the Media Relations 2005 conference in San Francisco in April, you can still learn terrific PR and publicity tips by buying the CDs or cassette tapes for $15 each. Read the entire list here. It includes the panel I participated in titled "The 10 worst Journalist Faux Pas You Can Make." I highly recommend three sessions: … [Read more...]
“Fox & Friends” takes irreverant view of top stories
As an associate producer of "Fox & Friends," Jess Todtfeld has heard it all from people who have no clue how to pitch. Particularly annoying are authors who call and want to spend the entire time asking him about topics that the show covers. "Then they follow that with a book title pitch," he says. "They figure the book title should be the … [Read more...]