Atlanta Journal-Constitution
P.O. Box 4689
Atlanta, GA 30302
Editors at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution certainly don't have the Southern charm you might expect. As with most daily newspaper journalists, their attitude toward anything with the word "PR" attached is sour. A simple pitch letter via mail or fax works best for most editors. If you must call, the consensus is no calls after 4 p.m. (Circulation: 416,382 Monday-Thursday); 481,657 (Friday); male, 51.7%; HHI of $50,000+, 52.2)
SECTIONS: FEATURES
Unlike most other daily newspapers, the Journal has opportunities in the features section for product pitches. This Fall it added Buyer's Edge, a section for consumer products.
Also covers travel, arts, entertainment and lifestyle.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Lifestyle Editor
Eric Sundquist
Fax: 404/526-5509
Phone: 404/526-5416
Lead Time: no specific lead time; stories for this section are not time-sensitive.
METHODS: No calls. Even the editor's voice mail indicates that calls are unwelcomed. Instead, fax or mail ideas to the section editors listed below.
Only expect a call back if your idea is of interest.
COMMENTS: Although the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is not considered a national paper, stories for the feature section usually have a national twist, Sundquist says. A good spot for pitches is the travel section, which has local, national and international coverage. The paper does have a travel budget to send editors abroad.
For the arts/entertainment section, pieces usually are about local happenings but also cover events such as the Oscars.
SECTIONS: BUSINESS
Covering real estate, international business, technology, financial services, marketing and retail, the business section is very interested in any growth and development stories. Ideas that highlight the business growth in Atlanta are hot topics.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Business Editor
Susan Wells
email: [email protected]
Phone: 404/526-5322
Lead Time: one week; for breaking news, send ideas very early in the morning as the business budget is finished by 10 a.m.
METHODS: Email is best. Due to the enormous amount of correspondence, "mail and faxes are a little more haphazard," Wells says. The business editors toss about half of the pitches they receive from PR, she says. Don't call or follow-up with editors in person.
COMMENTS: All stories are either about Atlanta-based companies or companies that are related to Atlanta.
"Don't waste your client's money on generic press releases," Wells says. "The ones that catch our attention have an Atlanta-spin." All news items should be directed to News Editor Anne Fitzhenry, [email protected].
Editorial Contacts at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
| Main Number: 404/526-5151 | ||
|
Howard Pousner Travel Editor 404/526-5479 |
Susan Puckett Food Editor 404/526-5443 |
Nick Tate Science Editor 404/526-5671 |
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Tom Sabulis Arts/Entertainment Editor 404/526-5453 |
Sheila Reed Home/Garden Editor 404/526-5485 |
Amanda Housted Health Editor 404/526-5754 |
Recent Stories
"Don't Let the Variety of Trees Stump You," by Danny C. Flanders in "The Buyer's Guide" section.
"When Loved Ones Choose to Leave," by Rheta Grimsley Johnson.
Key Contacts: CBS Sunday Morning
CBS Sunday Morning
524 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212/975-4321
Fax: 212/975-7352
These producers are extremely difficult to track down. Senior Producer Marquita Pool-Eckert is inundated with mail, faxes, email and calls about story ideas. Calls are not welcome and she prefers faxes or mail simply because of the nature of the show.
Sunday Morning features many artists, performers and authors. Each week includes a lead story, an arts piece and a human interest piece. The show also features a different U.S. town or city every week. Marquita is fond of human interest stories for her lead slot. Most importantly, she likes to see what is being presented, so send her plenty of visuals.
Another good contact for the show is Coordinating Producer Bill Sorenson who covers all programs for the show. Again, only mail and faxes. Pitch stories as far in advance as possible for both producers.
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