Although pitching to this internationally-known business newspaper may seem intimidating, take comfort in the fact that reporters and editors in the American bureaus are an easy reach. You don't have to break the bank in phone bills to get stories placed around the globe. It may be that the British style of these journalists makes for a more relaxed atmosphere because these reporters actually return calls to PR folks. (Worldwide circulation: 357,703; Demographics: median age: 46; Median HHI: $156,000; male: 84%; female: 16%)
SECTIONWASHINGTON, D.C. BUREAU.This bureau covers specific issues including diplomacy, IMF, World Bank, domestic politics and antitrust issues. Drop the technical jargon with these editors, as the D.C. bureau wants stories that affect the whole industry, not just experts.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Reporter for domestic politics, regulatory issues and antitrust,Richard Wolffe. Came to the D.C. bureau from the FT in London. Fax: 202/289-5475; Phone: 202/289-5474;email: [email protected]. Lead Time: at least one week.
METHODS: Fax and email preferred. Deadlines are all day long, but the best times to catch FT editors is in the afternoon. The editors in D.C. follow the popular rule of no follow-up calls.
COMMENTS: Five reporters work in the D.C. bureau, each covering different beats. The key for coverage here is to know the beats and pitch to the specific reporters (listed below). Remember, as a business newspaper, FT seeks stories affecting industries, companies and corporations.
SECTION: NEW YORK CITY BUREAU.News here falls under these categories: Wall Street, corporations and financial issues. Pitching to beat reporters is a must at this bureau, too. Make pitches newsworthy - Bureau Chief Richard Waters says he's using fewer ideas from PR every month.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Bureau Chief, Richard Waters. He's been with FT for three years as a NY correspondent. Fax: 212/7523-4814; Phone: 212/752-7400. Lead Time: varies according to story topic; breaking news: a few hours.
METHODS: Deadlines are twice daily - noon to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call outside these hours if you have a breaking news story. All other ideas can be faxed or emailed to the beat reporters.
COMMENTS: Again, knowing the beat editors and what they cover is key to reaching the NY reporters. Waters says he is the main contact for general story ideas or pitches about management, real estate, telecom and media. Waters also warns: don't be haphazard when sending breaking news stories. Your ideas must be able to run on the front page, he says.
Editorial Contacts at the Financial Times
Main Number: 212/752-7400
Jerad Baker, Bureau Chief, D.C.; [email protected]
Stephen Fidler, Diplomatic Editor, D.C.; [email protected]
John Labate, Financial reporter, NY; [email protected]
Mark Suzman, Reporter; [email protected],
Nancy Dunne, Reporter, trade and ecommerce; [email protected]
Don Bogler, Financial commentator; [email protected]
Mikki Tait, Chicago Bureau Chief; 312/853-2804
Roger Taylor, San Francisco Bureau; 415/664-2614
Christopher Parkes, Los Angeles Bureau; 800/628-8088
Richard Tomkins, Airlines and tobacco reporter, NY, [email protected],
John Authors, Commercial banking, insurance and paper industry reporter, NY; [email protected]
Tracy Corrigan, Investment banking, Wall Street and health care reporter, NY; [email protected]
William Lewis, Mergers and acquisitions and investment management reporter, NY; [email protected]