3400 Idaho Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202/895-5060
Fax: 202/895-5149
These journalists love PR practitioners who do their homework and loathe those who call on a whim with no focus or knowledge of the station. WTOP, which is on both the AM and FM frequencies, covers all genres including news, politics, lifestyle, health and business.
News Director Michelle Dolge began at WTOP as an administrative assistant. She says she respects the sources, many of whom are PR people, who call her the night before she plans her new day. She cited a PR pro who left voice mail messages the night before to alert Dolge of a big story. This technique was perfect for Dolge, who received the voice mail first thing when she awoke.
Dolge is up at about 5 a.m. reading, listening and watching the day's news. She's on her cell phone with reporters from her car telling them which stories they should cover. A mid-afternoon pitch won't fly with Dolge. If you're not up for late-night pitches, try contacting Dolge very early - about 7 a.m. If you're faxing, keep it to one page. To court the morning drive show, target morning drive editor Mitchell Miller. The morning drive airs from 5-10 a.m. Miller says most story ideas will go to Dolge, but any events can be forwarded to him. If you are sending evergreen stories, Miller says send them early and follow-up with a phone call.
Since WTOP is a 24-hour news organization, making your pitch timely is the most important tip to remember. "Think about the event and how it relates to that medium," Miller says.
Source: PR NEWS Media HotSheet, sister publication to PR NEWS. For more information, call 888/707-5814. To suggest a publication to profile, call Elizabeth Tobbe at 301/340-7788 ext 4130.