Updating Media Contacts:
Current Media Databases (4/17/17)All state media database minus IA
National media database
Iowa media database
Bottom Line: Having up to date contact info for the “right people” makes it possible for our news to reach the public which in turn means creating new donors.
It is important to keep things up to date and not to create duplicate records! Before adding new contacts search the name to make sure they are not already there, in same organization or another, perhaps as "Bill" instead of "William," etc.
News releases are sent to these types of news organizations found in all 50 states:
(in order by priority)- The Associated Press - this is the most important!
- Large daily newspapers
- All news/ talk radio commercial stations
- Commercial state radio or news networks, which provide content and stories to many other stations, like "Radio Iowa" or "Kansas News Network" or "Texas State Network"
- NPR stations
- Smaller daily newspapers
- Talk Radio Stations
- Alternative weeklies
- Political blogs
Good Contacts:
Print:- Managing Editor or Asst.
- City Editor or Asst.
- Metro Editor or Asst.
- Political Editor
- Reporters with following words in job title: City/Government/Politics/State/House/Statehouse/Capital Bureau/Bureau Chief
- Editorial Page Editor
- Political/Government/Statehouse reporters
- Opinion Editor
- News Desk Assistant/Editor
- Political Columnist
- News Editor
- News Director
- News Producer
- Planning Editor/Director
- Political/Government/Statehouse reporters
- News Desk Assistant/Editor
- Assignment Editor
- Newsroom Editor
IMPORTANT: The e-mail addresses below go to all reporters in the newsroom.
Search for these addresses!! Save them in the database separately from the outlet's reporters, and the appropriate name ex. News Room or Editorial Desk
- news@, press releases@, newsroom@, newsdesk@, assignments@,
- editorial@, opinion@
Bad Contacts:
- Executive Editor
- General Assignment Reporter (unless you have been told they cover a political beat)
- Program Director
- General Manager
- Publisher
- President & CEO
- Copy Editor
What information do I need for each contact?
(in order by how it is listed in media database)- Outlet name
- Outlet City
- First Name of contact
- Last Name of contact
- Position
- Phone #
- Medium
- Contacts -short term notes (ex. left message on 4/10)
- Outlet Address
- Outlet City
- Outlet State
- Outlet Zip
- Notes - long term notes (wrote story on PVS on 3/16 about move, specifically covers state legislature, 43 client stations, etc.)
How to find new or updated Media Contact information
Finding Staff Directories on News Websites:- Google search the organization, visit appropriate site.
- Look for page titles: contact us, staff directory, & about us.
- If you cannot find this you can try a google search using key words: [news organization name] staff/contact us/staff directory.
- If you are unable to find a staff directory, call the organization and ask for the appropriate information.
- Make sure to add in new contacts if need be. If you do not see an existing contact listed, call the newsroom to see if they are still there. If they are no longer there, remove them-- but try to replace them with a new person in that position.
- Be. Persistent. People are likely not going to want to give out information, but you still need to find a way to get it.
Additional Notes
- Some news outlets do not give out direct lines to reporters. You can just list the newsroom mainline phone # if this is the case.
- When viewing staff directory pages you may not see any reporters listed. You will need to call the newsroom.
- When viewing staff directory pages you may not find the reporters who are working the political beat. You will need to call the newsroom.
- You will see that many newsrooms use the personsname@newsoutlet.org email address format. If you can discern patterns then this may get you the info you need.
- Reporters have supervisors who generally assign their stories. These would include the political, metro, city editors--they are very important
Calling:
Try to speak with someone in the “newsroom”
Sample questions:
- “Could you tell me who is reporting on your state and federal candidates/races this year?”
- "I would like to send a news release to your news director. What is the best way to reach them?"
- “I’m looking for contact information for your Politics or Government Editor, or the person who covers state and federal candidates this election year”
- “We are putting out a news release soon regarding your state’s candidates and I want to make sure we are sending it to the right person. Who is covering your political beat?”
- “Do you also have a general newsroom e-mail to send news releases to?”
