How to get your pitch picked up by Arizona’s Family

Posted on Aug. 3, 2023  /  Media Relations  /  Subscribe 0

The media breakfast and panel with Arizona’s Family 3/5 was one of the most successful events of 2023. Nearly 50 Valley public relations professionals had the opportunity to hear directly from our local broadcast pros on what type of pitches turn into stories for your clients and organizations.

Arizona’s Family provides news to nearly 7 million valley residents through live broadcasts, YouTube, podcasts, their website, and social media. The panelists included News Director Sybil Hoffman, reporter/anchor Jaime Cerreta, managing editor Rudy Rivas and segment producer Kelly Gannon.

What broadcast pros want PR pros to understand

Pitches that turn into stories are tailored, timely, and topical.

These broadcast pros are inundated with emails and pitches. The best way to get a response is by building a professional relationship with a reporter and tailoring your pitch to stand out amongst the rest.

Timeliness is also key. Be reactive to breaking news stories. Identify a unique angle to a current event or pitch your expert while the topic is hot. 

Jaime Cerreta shared that she’s particularly interested in pitches that include great visuals such as photos, videos, and graphics. 

Hot tip from the pros: download Arizona’s Family app to keep up with the headlines.

Stories that resonate with Arizona’s Family

Arizona’s Family focuses on local stories that bolster the community.

Sybil Hoffman tells us that Arizona’s Family sees their viewers as an extension of their own family and they provide resources on safety, weather, crime, and more.

More specifically, they’re interested in new pitches on community impact. When pitching stories to reporters, producers, and the assignment desk, consider what segment the story fits into. Think about whether the pitch is best suited for morning or evening newscasts.

Also, each journalist has a specific niche and preference for story angles. Consider who you’re pitching to and what type of story they cover.

Breaking News from Arizona’s Family

The station is launching a new show that will premiere on Monday, August 28th, and air Monday-Friday at 3 pm. The show will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how the journalists provide information to the public and stand out amongst the rest.

In addition, reporter/anchor Jaime Cerreta is launching a podcast called Jaime’s Local Love. The podcast will launch Monday, August 7th, and stream every Monday.

Key Takeaways:

• Tailor your pitch to specific newscasts or segments.

• Build a relationship with the station’s reporters.

• Aim to identify stories that can sustain multiple live shots throughout the day.

• Make sure your expert sources are good talkers and available at a moment’s notice.

• Shoot your shot! If a story isn’t suited for broadcast, it may be usable for social media.
  

By: Sam Cruz and Nikai Salcido

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