In this episode, Kasey Klee, Marjorie Comer, and Bob Wiltfong join On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss media relations best practices.
Guest:
Our episode includes Axia’s news team: Kasey Klee, Account Executive; Marjorie Comer, News Media Consultant; Bob Wiltfong, Public Relations Account Director; and Jason Mudd, CEO. Together they discuss the five best practices that come with media relations: preparing, relationship building, messaging, pitching, and following up.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
- How to plan and prepare for pitching stories
- How to build meaningful relationships with reporters
- What you’re messaging should look like
- How to go about pitching stories
- Why you should follow up
Quotables
- “The goal for any public relations person is the media list, the contact list and the relationships that we build with the media.” - @Bob
- “You're always looking to localize a national story and PR people do that with news jockey. What we're trying to do is tie in a newsworthy item involving our clients to a national story. So it's kind of the same idea.” - @Bob
- “All news is local. And so if you can find a local angle to a national story, then that's very beneficial.” - @Jason
- “Relationship building is probably one of my favorite things that I get to do as a PR professional.” - @Marjorie
- “Building a relationship with a reporter doesn't have to be scary. It doesn't have to be this taboo thing. We're all people and we all want to build a connection with someone else.” - @Marjorie
- “The relationship between a PR person and a journalist could be such a dynamic duo if it's done correctly.” - @Kasey
- “It's not just who we know, but it's really who knows us.” - @Jason
- “Every pitch is a little bit of an experiment.” - @Jason
- “Smaller wins will lead to bigger things.” - @Jason
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About the Axia Team
- Jason is the founder of Axia, serving as a trusted adviser to renowned brands like American Airlines, Hilton, and Verizon. He resides in Amelia Island, Florida.
- Bob, a PR strategist, and former award-winning news anchor, brings his expertise to clients like Boeing and Sony. He calls Jacksonville, Florida home and joined Axia in February 2023.
- Marjorie, an award-winning PR professional, has been with Axia since October 2011, skillfully implementing PR plans and handling reactive needs from her base in Joplin, Missouri.
- Kasey, known for her enthusiasm and attention to detail, coordinates client programs and has been a trusted adviser since August 2021. She resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Guest’s Contact Info and Resources:
Support the show
- On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
- On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.