Dropping journalist names in new business pitches? You might just pissed off the journalist
By Palin Ningthoujam on Jun 29, 2010 in NBD, mediarelations
My colleague Soumya forwarded me some of these tweets by some journos in India. Check them out below. By the way, I also don’t like dropping names without permission. However, it also matter on what context the names are mentioned. During a pitch, if the client asks us if we can tell them about the top technology journalists in India. I don’t think saying mentioning a name there hurts. Saying I know such and such can be little sensitive. But definitely we should mention all relationships are professional. What do you folks say?
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On Jun 29, 2010, Sanchita said:
I am a “client”, with an agency background! If an agency is coming to pitch for our business, my first question to them is, “how well do you know the media?”
Quite frankly, not many clients really care on what level the agencies “know” journalists! What we care about is coverage! Dropping names during a pitch, quite frankly doesn’t make sense! Because the client is going to hold you to that statement. You say you know Mr. X from a particular publication, then please! By all means, ensure coverage in that particular publication.
I am, after all, one person in one company. I’m sure situations are different with different agencies/companies.
On Jun 29, 2010, Shael Sharma said:
Dude, headline reads funny! From job interviews for client roles to pitches they all want you to sing journalist names, comes with the territory, supply and demand type of situation. From a trade craft perspective, public relations counsel has to be cult or people agnostic but we all have our favourites, some better functional relationships than others.
On Jul 12, 2010, Orion PR Agency Mumbai said:
I dnt think so…givin name as ref..is a gud idea…! But can use..to get some projects..hehe
On Jul 26, 2010, Reeta said:
Very often, we forget that its the quality of the news that helps the story; not just the relationship of the Pr with journalists. Its a little too presumptuous to be dropping names; because a dud story is a dud story and no journalist can help….if the client however brings up the name of the journalist deliberately in a conversation…one could tackle it with ” we do share a professional equation…but the merit of the story determines the outcome.”
On Aug 12, 2010, vivek sood said:
I think what matter most is the delivery .it does nt matter if you know any journo and clinet is elast interested. 99% time he is even not aware who write what ? its the fab created by corp com to justify their position and media knowledge in front of a PR agency. i dont think the journalist’s names help taking off this trade from 5 agencies to 500 agencies in 10 years
On Jun 29, 2010, PublicityNews said:
Dropping journalist names in new business pitches? You might just pissed off the journalist: My colleague Soumy… http://bit.ly/dznNlf #pr
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
On Jun 29, 2010, palinn said:
Dropping journalist names in new business pitches? You might just pissed off the journalist http://bit.ly/bl6GuJ #fb
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
On Jun 29, 2010, Jhon2Jovani said:
RT @palinn: Dropping journalist names in new business pitches? You might just pissed off the journalist http://bit.ly/bl6GuJ #fb
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
On Jun 29, 2010, DaveMinella said:
I don’t think I’ve ever dropped a journalist’s name in a new business pitch, but I guess it could help: http://bit.ly/dcUSPG
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
On Jul 15, 2010, josgovaart said:
Dropping journalist names in new business pitches? You might just pissed off the journalist : India PR Blog http://ht.ly/2bwQo
This comment was originally posted on Twitter