EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone with any media insight knows that the Associated Press is the source for a lot of the daily news Americans read, but it's likely some PR execs and communicators forget that AP is the origin for much of the news that's heard via radio -- one of the prime ways commuting businesspeople stay on top of the news. Editors at AP radio, a 24-hour radio wire service, are always seeking news nuggets.
| SECTIONS | EDITORS | DAYS TO CONTACT/DAYS TO AVOID | METHODS | COMMENTS |
| BUSINESS Offers daily news about what's breaking in the business world --from a look at Wall Street to new businesses | Editor:* Mark Hamrick: Phone: 202/736-9545; Fax: 202/736-1199 |
This editor is always on deadline since he's putting together several news reports a day, but many of his staff work flex hours --some preferring the wee hours of the morning, others in the evening. |
Editor wants news sent to him by regular mail (see address above) or by fax. E-mail isn't a route most AP Radio editors use. |
Business news runs in daily, two-minute segments (unless specified by buyer in another market) at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. On weekends, business features are run --usually recaps or expanded stories about topics that ran earlier. |
| FEATURES:PORTFOLIO Covers lifestyle trends in sports, entertainment, travel and health. | Editor: * Adrienne Metil: Phone: 202/736-9500 |
Editor works a 5 p.m.-to- past midnight shift so it's virtually impossible to get in touch with her during normal business hours. |
Editor discourages PR practitioners from calling her. Wants press kits --not just releases -- sent by regular mail to business address listed above. |
Portfolio segment typically airs on Wednesday, but may run on weekends depending on the market buyer's preference. Segment is 30 minutes long, with five 5-minute features. |
| ENTERTAINMENT Primary focus is movies, television and music with an emphasis on what's on the lips of Hollywood types. Also branches out to cover broadway productions and celebrity books. | Editor: * Michael Weinfeld: Phone: 202/736-9515; Fax: 202/736-1199 |
This editor says he's always on deadline since he's putting out copy several times a day. If you can't reach him for a breaking story, leave a message and someone on the business desk will call you back. |
Editor wants news before the event and says --ironically --that many PR professionals send too many after-the-fact releases. Editor prefers that PR pitches be made the traditional way: the phone. Faxes are the next preferred route. |
This radio newshound adheres to this credo: "Once it's in USA Today, it's old news." Advises that all PR pitches have to be extremely timely as well as relevant to radio --a topic that can be relayed quickly and concisely in a radio news format. |