Event Recap: Meet the Editors at Philadelphia Business Journal
Posted by [email protected] on Apr. 27, 2023 / Subscribe 0
By: Tristan Kim, PPRA PECO Scholar, Public Relations Assistant at PUNCH Media
Last week on Thursday, April 20, we hosted a panel of Philadelphia Business Journal editors and writers to discuss operations at the publication, what sorts of stories they look for, and how we can better assist one another. Philadelphia Business Journal participants included Editor-in-Chief Ryan Sharrow, Managing Editor Michael Potter, Associate Editor Lisa Dukart, Senior Reporter John George, Reporter Ryan Mulligan, Reporter Emma Dooling, Reporter Paul Schwedelson, and Data Reporter Todd “Mr. Lists” Romero, and the panel was moderated by our own PPRA President Hope Horwitz, President and Partner of Feldscher Horwitz Public Relations.
These are some key takeaways from the conversation:
- Business journalism moves quickly. A reporter at the Philadelphia Business Journal could be working on up to three stories in a single day, and not every industry has a devoted reporter. It is useful to clearly outline how a pitch relates to a certain beat, as well as providing concrete figures and numbers such as “number of jobs created since expansion” or “percentage growth over last year.” Having fast access to clients for things like quotes and clarifications (something we all struggle with on occasion) are also very important, as being able to confirm something within an hour might be the make or break for the story being run.
- The Philadelphia Business Journal website is a powerful resource. Reading the paper and checking the website are the best way to learn what stories Philadelphia Business Journal is looking for. Their about us page is very in-depth, with staff contact information and their beats. Sixteen special issues are published annually and the vast majority take nominations. Check the editorial calendar to see what topics are coming down the line to better inform your pitching. Similarly, the lists created by Todd Romero are shared several months in advance and takes nominations too, providing a unique platform to get editorial attention.
- Being personable and organic always helps. Know who you’re pitching, be sure your story fits one of their beats, and make sure all of your ducks are in a row. You only have one shot at a first impression. Pitches should not be full of complex technical terms or industry jargon that would go over a layperson’s head. Mechanical, cut-and-paste pitches are not desirable either, nor are canned quotes or emailed answers. Pleasantries usually won’t make or break a pitch, but a short line at the top never hurts.
Learn more about Philadelphia Business Journal and connect with its staff by visiting the about page: https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/about-us
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