We’ve all heard the terms “Social Media” and “Social Networking”- they’re thrown around everywhere. Social Media is new, fast, and cool and more importantly, it means business. From tout.com to klout.com, there is much to learn. Although there are tons of social media platforms – the one creating the most media buzz…er, tweets is Twitter.

The consensus is clear – if you want your message out there quickly – tweet it. Mashable.com (@mashable) recently highlighted the latest study from Pew Internet. It stated that “on a sample of 2,259 adults, the study reveals that three fourths of the people (75%) who find news online get it either forwarded through e-mail or posts on social networking sites, and half of them (52%) forward the news through those means.” What does this mean? People are gathering their news from online sources regularly and by news it could be the latest company, product, headline or meaningless tidbit. Twitter is unique as a news source because it allows you to engage your audience in real time.

Athletes, rock stars, celebrities and politicians use Twitter for major announcements. Even the President of the United States (@BarackObama) tweets.

- @SHAQ used the “Tout” app to send a video announcement of his retirement over Twitter.

- @Pink tweeted the official announcement that she was pregnant.

- @newtgingrich announced his presidential candidacy via Twitter.

- @piersmorgan, “America’s Got Talent” judge confirmed that he is going to be a father again via Twitter.

So is everyone on Twitter? Maybe not everyone but it certainly is growing at a steady pace. eWeek (@eWEEKNews) stated that “Twitter is believed to command something in the range of 200 million users” though the microblog won’t confirm those numbers due to all of the people who use the service from third-party mobile clients. Twitter CEO Dick Costolo said at the D9 conference June 1 that Twitter users were pumping out 1 billion tweets every six days. Costolo also said there are over 600,000 Twitter developers.

Do you use Twitter? We do. It helps companies like ours speak instantly with like companies and clientele. We (@PitchPR09) use Twitter to speak to our clients, prospective clients and relevant industries. We often tweet about the latest events in PR and hits that we garnered for our clients. So let’s meet and tweet! We look forward to connecting with you.

Kirstin Robison
Publicist

The end is here. No, not the Rapture but the Oprah Show. And I know I speak for most, if not all, public relations practitioners when I say “Hallelujah.” Sure, I like Oprah as much as the next girl. She’s the Queen of Media, an inspiring humanitarian and good TV. But she’s been a thorn on the side PR for quite some time. Barely a meeting or potential client conversation has passed without someone saying ‘We should be on Oprah.’ Everyone wanted to make their product or business or story worthy of Oprah’s attention

This Holy Grail placement is not easy to come by. The Oprah Show evolved over time to focus heavily on celebrity guests and major news stories. Anyone who regularly watches knows it’s not really a fit for most consumer businesses. Yet the power and influence of the show makes it hard for clients to pass up adding it on their publicity wish list.

Over the years, I booked several clients on Oprah. In one segment, three women entrepreneurs had a chance to show off their great light-bulb ideas. I like to think my success in landing the segment was all about my pitching expertise. I’m sure it was a little luck and good timing too. Those businesses featured on the Oprah show had increased sales as a result. But it wasn’t the be-all, end-all. They still pursued other PR opportunities and in fact, in some cases got equal response from national magazine features and other exposure.

Now, it’s been revealed who is the very last guest on the show… Oprah herself. Not a surprise. Afterall, who else has the clout and appeal to be booked?

So will you be watching as the finale airs today?

Listen carefully and you might just hear a collective cheer from PR professionals everywhere.

Ann Noder

Love it or hate it, celebrity culture reigns supreme in our society. From movie stars to reality tv personalities, to those rising to notoriety on YouTube, it would seem we are a nation obsessed with all things fame related.

From the outside looking in it can often simply seem like a guilty pleasure – reading about who’s dating who, or gasping at the mug shot of the latest starlet to be thrown in jail. But skew your viewpoint a bit and you will come to a poignant realization. Our voyeurism into who’s wearing what or the latest situation “The Situation” finds himself in, is part of a multi-million dollar industry that we all contribute to in one way or another.

The major players in this game are not just the celebrities but the media outlets that report on their every move. So it’s no surprise as publicists, we tap into this arena to find connections for our clients to the celebrity world that might get the attention of not only outlets that cater to our insatiable appetite for all things celebrity, but even more hard hitting news publications and shows that now dabble in this kind of content in an effort to stay on top of the ratings.

Some may argue that it’s a shallow approach to publicity but there’s no denying the economic power behind this kind of media exposure. Take for example the blue wrap around dress Kate Middleton wore the day her engagement to Prince William was announced. Within hours the dress sold out in London stores. There are dozens of other similar examples out there of a celebrity being an unofficial spokesperson for a product or service they use thanks to the media’s ongoing celebrity coverage.

Here at Pitch, early on in the campaign, we do ask our clients if their product or service has any connection to celebrities. The link we are looking for could be as direct as having a famous customer or more vague such as say, a common tie to a philanthropic organization that could possibly be redirected to their business.

Bottom line is if there’s a sound enough connection along with a timely element, these outlets very well may bite as they are always hungry for ideas and news that are related to the rich and famous. With millions of people logging on, tuning in or flipping pages to get their latest fill of what celebrities are up to, it’s a publicity angle we just can’t ignore.

Marybeth Grass
Media Coordinator

This week’s events have nurtured our country’s sense of patriotism in a big way. It is heartwarming to see patriotic sentiments in the headlines, on social media and on television. Such major current events spur the media to react quickly and it impacts some outlets more than others. Breaking news creates a media storm and we know which outlets are in the eye of the storm and which are tucked safely in the outskirts. Creating a strategy that outlines how and where to pitch during a major breaking event is crucial and ultimately determines the success and coverage of your story.

Television works with news that is happening now and breaking news is their top priority. Scheduled segments are often cancelled when major news breaks and producers, reporters and assignment editors have their hands full. Consider the station and network that you are targeting and be mindful of the urgent coverage. It is best to wait to reach out to publications that are focusing on breaking news.

Online publications are also working on the events of today but there is more wiggle room. Make note of your contact’s beat. If they work on issues that are unrelated to the breaking news then it is probably safe to reach out. If the beat works within the current event, make sure that the story you are pitching fits perfectly within the headlines.

Print publications such as magazines work with long lead times and are still looking for content even during breaking news. The lead times are three to six months out, so with the right angle and research it is safe to reach out to long leads with story ideas.

The bottom line is to be mindful of current events and how they impact the media. A little research and a lot of strategy can go a long way. Breaking news happens and it temporarily changes the media landscape and in turn dictates how we work within that landscape. The key is to provide compelling and adapted content that blends intuitively within the media climate and can be featured now or in the near future.

Kirstin Robison
Publicist

Start-up companies have a built-in newness angle that resonates with media. For existing businesses with products that have been around a while, it’s all about making your product fresh again. To do that, a savvy PR tactic is to use the news.

First, determine your newsworthiness and if you’re especially relevant during certain times of the year. Got a unique gifty-item? Make sure to be pitching holiday gift guides each year. Do you have an innovative travel must-have? Be sure to hit media before the major travel seasons such as holiday and summer.

Next, be aware of spontaneous relevancy. What are the latest headlines that could relate to your product and what major happenings are coming up that you could piggy back onto? Taking advantage of current news stories to get your product in the spotlight is a smart way to generate new buzz and secure coverage sooner than later.

We’re thrilled that Pitch clients are getting major media coverage thanks to recent stories in the news:

*Sweet Sally’s Bakeshop has received lots of buzz for its tea scones thanks to the royal wedding this Friday.

*Did you know April is National Financial Literacy Month? That timely angle helped generate fantastic features for Susan Osborne, founder of the kid-friendly money site CountMyBeanz.com.

*Tax week brought related coverage for MyID.com.

*Media buzzed about non-candy Easter basket must haves that included Rosemary’s Scents.

Next up? Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the many unforeseen news headlines in between!

Melanie Anderson
Pitch Publicist