Think Like a Newsroom: PR Lessons from the Sports World with Matt Swenson

In this episode, journalist and content strategist Matt Swenson shares insights from his 20 years in the industry, including how PR professionals in the sports world—and local tourism—can adopt a newsroom mindset. We explore the importance of timeliness, authentic storytelling, and relationship-building, using a standout campaign from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a case study. Whether you're working in sports, tourism, or PR in general, this conversation is packed with actionable advice you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Digital PR Explained, Dan Berthiaume, Senior Editor of Chain Store Age, breaks down how to pitch exclusive Q&A interviews that stand out. Learn what editors are looking for, common mistakes to avoid, and actionable tips to refine your strategy.

Big news! We Earn Media is wrapping up, but the journey doesn’t end here. Join Britt Klontz on Digital PR Explained for more PR insights and strategies. Follow the new podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to keep learning and growing with us. Thank you for your support over the years—we can’t wait to see you on the new feed!

Today’s guest writes for a major finance publication that we see all over Qwoted and HARO, and is heavily syndicated and featured on Apple/Google News, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, and more. Today we’ll learn the kinds of stories a high-volume online publication writes and what exactly they need from publicists to complete their stories. We’ll start with analyzing a pitch for a seasonal shopping roundup then dive into media queries. You’ll walk away with sharpened knowledge of digital media strategy and utilize it to come out ahead and earn those syndicated features for your client. In this episode, you'll learn… The types of stories a high-volume finance publication wants to publish What to include in a seasonal shopping roundup pitch Why consistent persistence matters (even if you’re just past the deadline- follow up!) Our guests: Heather Taylor is a senior finance writer for Go Banking Rates. And the head writer and brand mascot enthusiast for PopIcon, Advertising Week’s blog dedicated to brand mascots. She has been published on HelloGiggles, Business Insider, The Story Exchange, Brit + Co, Thrive Global, and more.

Most journalists we talk to tell us they get way too many pitches. When we were told by today’s guest that she’s experiencing the opposite problem, we knew we had to investigate! Today we learn all about local news and how to identify and tell a story that captivates a local audience. Hear about 2 real stories by a local NYC non-profit (and on the flipside a mention of the all-too-many “missed opportunities”) and walk away with inspiration for how to identify a story and sharpen your own storytelling skills. In this episode, you'll learn from a local TV journalist… What makes a good, local news story How newsrooms, producers, and journalists choose the stories they cover How TV has adapted (and continues to adapt!) to a digital audience Our guests: Checkey Beckford is an Emmy® Award-winning reporter for NBC 4 New York. She covers breaking news and general assignment stories

Do you ever come across an article that features an expert and only that expert throughout the whole piece? With curious envy, do you wonder how that story came to be? Well, today we’ll find out! We talk shop with a fellow publicist and industry friend who owns her own boutique PR firm. We’ll break down a story that features her client front and center and learn how that story came to be. From it, you’ll leave inspired to ideate stories that are interesting and culturally-relevant, allowing your client or brand’s expertise to fully shine! In this episode, you'll learn how a self-employed publicist… Finds inspiration for winning story ideas and pitches Strategizes a solid media outreach strategy Measures and communicates to her clients

Today we have a special episode. Instead of one guest, we have two! Catch a glimpse of two industry friends being candid on what it’s like to work in food and wine media. You’ll learn about what works and doesn’t work when promoting a food/beverage brand. Gain insider knowledge to take your food and beverage PR strategy from OK to great, in this latest episode. In this episode, you'll learn… Important editorial concepts (like short-lead and long-lead!) and PR tactics (like events) used by food/drink professionals Common mistakes food/drink publicists make What makes a good story in the food/drink media industry

Ever wonder how some experts get to share their expertise through contributed articles in big, industry outlets? In this episode, we chat with a community editor whose job is to vet these kinds of pitches. Tune in to this episode if you want to understand the ins and outs of pitching contributed content on behalf of your expert. In this episode, you'll learn… How a real contributed article came to be from pitch to publish How to ideate a contributed article that editors want What elements are needed in a contributed article pitch Our guest: Luz Corona, Community Editor at ADWEEK. She oversees the Voice section, the opinion column featuring perspectives from advertisers, marketers, influencers, and tech professionals. She also moderates interviews and panels, and co-hosts the flagship podcast, "Yeah, That’s Probably an Ad."

Today’s episode is all about media training. Our guest is a freelance writer (a repeat guest!) who has interviewed all sorts of experts and has a LOT of great insight into how we can all do better during this important part of the media relations process. Listen to this episode and walk away with new-found confidence and actionable tips needed to turn your good media training skills into great ones. In this episode, you'll learn… Actionable tips to turn any expert into a great interviewer Common mistakes made by experts (& publicists!) during interviews How publicists can be better collaborators throughout the interview process Our guest: Joni Sweet is a freelance writer who focuses on travel, health, and wellness. Her work has been published by TIME, National Geographic, Forbes, SELF, Health magazine, Lonely Planet, TripSavvy, Real Simple,Yoga Journal, Frommer’s, and dozens of other publications.

Although the media industry is constantly in flux, we have seen some significant changes over the past year that don’t inspire confidence in the current stability of things. In light of news regarding layoffs across all industries, how can publicists become indefensible and solidify their spot at the table? Our guest today, a fellow publicist and digital PR expert, tells us how publicists have lasting, positive effects on companies well beyond media placements, and makes the case for highlighting these wins more than ever before. In this episode, you'll learn… Why cross-collaboration is crucial for publicists to stay relevant How to communicate and share your wins both privately and publicly (including social media!) Real-world examples of modern-day PR campaigns and what they mean for the current state of PR and media Our guest: Tamara Sykes is a Caribbean-born PR pro who shapes brand narratives through impactful content and communications strategies. Currently, she’s an Account Director at Stacker. She's also a devoted mom and wife, channeling her expertise to empower ambitious women of color to live their best lives via her brand, Baydian Girl.