The Media Insider Podcast

News Editor at Courier Media, Karis Hustad, discusses the inspiring small business stories they commission for the magazine and weekly newsletter. She shares the importance of authenticity, quality, and clearly explaining the 'why' behind pitching yourself to Courier. Karis explores some interesting trends like gen-z small business owners, the evolution of the 'gig CEO,' and much more.   

Editor at Prospect Magazine, Alan Rusbridger, shares the regular formats for the monthly print and digital publication and what makes the cut for an ‘intellectually stimulating’ read. From short-form profiles at the front; to long-reads with a new take on a global issue; to the popular culture and books sections at the back; find out when and how to pitch a story that gets noticed. As former editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Alan has decades worth of news sense worth noting for both PRs and freelance journalists pitching to the media.  

Deputy Editor at Sifted, Eleanor Warnock, discusses what she looks for in a pitch when commissioning for the 100k-users-a-month publication serving startups. She gives the inside scoop on the high level leader section ‘Brunch with Sifted’, what makes an opinion piece, plus the most common feedback points she gives to PRs who pitch to her.

Senior reporter at Management Today, Orianna Rosa Royle discusses what makes a story for the 80k-users-a-month publication. CEO interviews are the most common format but what makes the cut? For a journalist who gets ‘an email pitch a minute’ Orianna knows instantly what has PR potential and she gives us her inside tips.

Senior Features Writer at The Daily Mirror, Natasha Wynarczyk, discusses how a pitch from a PR or member of the public turns into coverage and why you should never pitch via social media. Print is certainly not dead and Natasha reminds us of the perks to having an exclusive print feature. XaHEFnoJKaafQX78LYzt

Francesca Cassidy, deputy editor of Raconteur, discusses exciting new online content, including regular series such as “How I Became A….” and how PRs or businesses can tailor their pitches for Raconteur’s formats. Plus the hunt for diverse journalists!

Cheryl Cole is the Editor of DiversityQ Magazine, a publication giving advice to businesses on diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace. Cheryl talks us through their story formats including why they love opinion pieces and thought leadership content. Plus, her media pitching advice: if you have to work to make it sound relevant, it probably isn't.

Zena Alkayat is founder of Bloom Magazine, a publication about gardening and nature with a modern angle. Zena shares her tips on how to pitch a story including how to differentiate passion from expertise, why 'the story' is always the most important wording of your pitch and how a new partnership with a book publisher means they're scouting for new nature writers! XaHEFnoJKaafQX78LYzt 

Jess Austin is Communities Editor for Metro online, commissioning Metro blogs and first person pieces. She discusses what the editorial team look for, why using fresh writers is so exciting, and, how to pitch to their regular series such as 'what it feels like to...' 'immigrant stories' and 'hello, my name is....'

Plus, what you. need to know if you fancy pitching yourself as a columnist. 

Martha Dillon, editor of It’s Freezing in LA, a publication covering environmental issues, gives us pitching tips for PRs and freelance writers. She discusses different feature formats for the magazine, why she’s on the lookout for young writers and defining a story angle in a pitch.