Business
Known for its cutting edge reporting style, Red Herring magazine was indeed one of the toughest media outlets we've tried to reach thus far. The first rule of thumb for this business technology monthly is no calls, no faxes, no snail mail. The only way to reach the staff with pitches is by emailing them at [email protected].
The good news is they will reply to emails. The bad news is that the likelihood of speaking with a real person is slim. The editors' theme song is "people need to read the magazine and know what it's about."
The best sections to pitch ideas are "News & Analysis" and "Briefings." The first holds many PR possibilities - it covers finance, technology, games and features executive profiles.
"Briefings" includes news and trends about companies in the industry. For PR execs who want a client or company featured or profiled, you must email Herring the company background and explain why it's important to Herring's readers. (Circulation: 70,000; median age: 39.6; average HHI: $390,000; male: 88%; female:12%)
Youth
It's a girl's life. In stark contrast to Red Herring (see previous story), editors at Girl's Life, the bimonthly from Monarch Avalon, Inc., welcome ideas ("we love to get submissions"). They look for pitches about new research on family relationships. The caveat here is that Girl's Life targets 9- to 14-year-olds and doesn't want submissions about sexual relationships or birth control issues.
The features section, "One Girl/One Solution," looks for ideas about girls doing community service projects. A recent story profiled a girl who started a doll-donating project for those in need. Other sections taking ideas: "Party!" "Food" and "Crafts."
Get any holiday gift ideas into the December/January issue and beauty tips for holiday parties by sending ideas now to Senior Editor Kelly White, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. (Circulation: 350,000; ages: 10-to 15-year-old; 99% female; 90% of girls are from two parent households)