4 Questions Journalist Spotlight

This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Mara Davis. Mara has had a huge career in Atlanta radio, and now runs her own company. We talk all about her career in radio, podcast, guest booking, how to pitch her and, of course, her favorite local restaurant!

Important Things to Know About Mara:

• Coolest thing: Loves arranging flowers (no carnations)
• Last Book: Demon Copperhead
• Favorite Local Restaurant: Aria, Amano (O4W)\
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure: TV shows about cheerleaders
• Favorite Local Getaway: NYC or Savannah in the winter
• Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Binge watching (She’s watching Sex and the City)

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.

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This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Ashley Frasca, host of the "Green & Growing" show on WSB Radio. We talk all about gardening, yard care, what makes her show work, stories she’s looking for, how to pitch her and, of course, her favorite local restaurant!

The silliest question ever asked by a caller to the show? A man who wanted to add a branch to a tree in his yard that was a little bit lower so he could attached his hammock!

Important Things to Know About Ashley:

Coolest Thing: She had a crush on Ryan Klesko and finally got to meet him recently!
Last Book: Any book by Dr. Allan Armitrage from UGA
Favorite Local Restaurant:  B&B Tavern @bbtavernsixes
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Tennis
Local Getaway:  Allatoona Lake

Reach her by email at [email protected].
Want to donate to the WSB Radio Can-A-Thon? Go to www.wsbradio.com/CanAThon.

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.

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This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Wendy Parker, founder and publisher of East Cobb News. We talk all about what makes her site work, stories she's looking for, how to pitch her and, of course, her favorite local restaurant!

Important Things to Know About Wendy:

Coolest Thing:  She's been inducted into the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame!
Last Podcast:  "755 is Real" with Dave O'Brien and Eric O'Flaherty
Last Book: The Introvert Entrepreneur
Favorite Local Restaurant:  Cafe Rivka
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Garden & Gun magazine
Local Getaway:  Local East Cobb parks, Azalia Park, East Cobb Park
Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Historical books, sports books

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.

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Leff & Associates Public Relations this week launched a new podcast that will highlight Atlanta’s talented PR and marketing community. The “4 Questions Atlanta PR & Marketing Spotlight” podcast starts with a conversation with Caren West, founder of Caren West PR.

The new podcast is available on YouTube and across the agency’s social media channels. Future episodes will focus on digital marketing agencies, sports marketing, technology, healthcare experts, and more. Those interested in being a guest should contact Mitch Leff at [email protected]. 

“Atlanta has some of the most talented public relations and marketing professionals in the country, representing some of the world's biggest brands,” says Leff & Associates president Mitch Leff. 

The conversation with Caren West showcases her agency’s unique focus, the clients she loves, and lessons she’s learned over 25 years in the public relations business.

The new podcast complements the agency’s “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight,” featuring regular conversations with journalists from across Georgia. 4QJS has featured almost 300 journalists over the last nine years.

This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Myrydd Wells, digital editor for Atlanta magazine. We talk all about what makes the magazine work, stories she's looking for, how to pitch her and, of course, her favorite local restaurant!

Important Things to Know About Myrydd:

Coolest Thing: She's been studying Japanese for about four years!

Last Book Read: The "Silo" series

Favorite Local Restaurant:  Bell Street Burritos

Local Getaway: Any local brewery, like Six Bridges Brewing in Johns Creek

Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Playing video games

This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses Jannah Bolds, founder of The Bold Opinion.

Jannah says "Our mission is to change the perception of media. The community is far more interesting than what traditional media portrays.  We cover the uncovered."

Find The Bold Opinion at http://theboldopinion.com. 

Important Things to Know About Jannah:

• Coolest Thing:  She’s a chef! Plus she’s teaching media literacy! 
• Last Book Read: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
• Favorite Local Restaurants: Rock Steady and The Grill   
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure:  ASMR, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
• Local Getaway:  Ponce City Market
• Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Gardening

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.
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This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Ernie Suggs, Senior Reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Suggs has been with the paper or more than 25 years and focuses on the "Unapologetically ATL" brand, writing stories that capture Black life!

Important Things to Know About Ernie:

• Coolest Thing:  I'm very confident in who I am!
• Last Podcast Listened To: "The Michael Kay Show"
• Favorite Local Restaurant:  Eats on Ponce de Leon
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure:  Water aerobics
• Local Getaway:  Stone Mountain
• Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Travel, to NY or NC

Make sure to get a copy of his new book "The Many Lives of Andrew Young"!

This week, our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight” focuses on Saba Long, executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle.

Atlanta Civic Circle is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on key issues in the metro Atlanta area. Their mission is to inform the public on the most critical issues by providing in-depth reporting and presenting possible solutions with opportunities for civic engagement online and in the community.

Find Atlanta Civic Circle at www.Atlantaciviccircle.org. 

Important Things to Know About Saba:

• Coolest Thing:  She plays Oculus VR table tennis on conference calls!
• Last Podcasts Listened To: The Daily and War on the Rocks 
• Favorite Local Restaurant:  Rumi's Kitchen (@rumiskitchenatlanta)
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure:  Hanging our really late with friends
• Local Getaway:  Serenbe
• Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Going to the sauna

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.
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This week, our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" focuses on Sophia Qureshi, publisher of 285South! 

285South focuses on telling the stories of Atlanta's vibrant immigrant community. Some of the stories will make you angry, some will make you laugh, and some will make you hungry!

Find 285South at 285South.substack.com

Coolest Thing: She has the ability to always know the correct time!

Last Book Read: Strangers to Ourselves

Favorite Local Restaurants: Desta (vegan platter!), Siamese Basil Thai (Norcross) 

Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Dark Chocolate

Local Getaway: The garden at Kelley Cofer Park in Tucker

Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Cooking! She loves cooking daal, a spicy lentil dish

Each week, we present our “4 Questions Journalist Spotlight,” a conversation with a Georgia journalist.

This week, our Spotlight focuses on Kristi Swartz, a reporter with Floodlight News! Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action. They partner with media including NPR, the Intercept, HuffPost, the Guardian, Grist, the Los Angeles Times, and more.

Coolest Thing: Grew up dancing ballet!
Last Book Read: Running While Black
Favorite Local Restaurant: Gaja
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: RuPaul's Drag Race
Favorite Local Getaway: Westside Park
Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Running

Mitch’s day job is providing public relations services, media training, and crisis communications, but he also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media, an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match, a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts.