One of the most satisfying experiences working in the PR industry comes when you secure an opportunity for a client to tell their story in front of a captive national audience. This week, after multiple phone calls, emails, and meetings, our colleague Don Osmond finalized an appointment for Footnote.com to showcase their site on the Glenn Beck Show, a true testament to the importance of networking.


Footnote.com will be talking about their most recent project, The Interactive Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall, as we prepare for the Memorial Day Weekend. The interview will detail the inspiration behind the project, the logistics of building the site, as well as share some of the wonderful and touching stories that people have posted on the site.


You can watch the Footnote.com interview Friday, May 23 on the Glenn Beck show on CNN Headline News at 5 p.m. ET (rebroadcast at 7 p.m. and midnight, check local listings), or listen for the radio interview with Glenn Beck on Premiere Radio Networks Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET (check local listings). Also available on www.glennbeck.com. Glenn can also be heard on XM satellite radio on channel 165.

Broadcast media (TV, radio, streaming online) can be a very effective outlet for creating awareness for your business, generating public support, building investor relations and simply getting customers. But while just sending a press release to an assignment editor or producer will sometimes land you a spot, there are several ways of increasing your success when pitching to a broadcast outlet.

Know the show

Knowing a little out a particular show or segment will go a long way when making a pitch. If you already know who the show is targeting, what their goals are and what the general viewer/listener is looking for, you can include that in your pitch.

Why they care

One of the most common phrases you'll hear in story idea meetings is, “Why do I care?" Simply announcing something in a press release usually won't be enough to get them interested. Take a minute to tailor a message to their particular programming. If it's a news show, tell them how it will benefit their viewers/listeners.

Cut the fluff

Assignment editors and producers are extremely busy. They don't have time to sift through all of the information in every press release they receive (usually hundreds per day). Get to the point as soon as you can and leave out information that isn't particularly important. Make sure to include contact information, times, dates and addresses.

While there are many ways to generate interest from broadcast outlets simply taking a few extra minutes to find out who you are dealing with will go along way.

Matt Stubbs

PR Associate