Joining the ranks of other major news publications going online, Newsweek.com launched Oct. 4 giving the PR world some additional pitching opportunities. The full magazine content is available weekly, with daily updates to Periscope, Cyberscope, Artscope and Newsmakers. Breaking news on the homepage is updated daily by Washingtonpost.com. Most importantly, know who covers what and don't mass fax! (Target readers here are slightly younger than the print version: median age:43; median HHI: $56,578)
SECTIONS: Artscope. Includes three feature sections with daily updates on the art world. "Sound Check" reviews the latest CDs in the music industry; "Top Shelf" covers books and "Moviescope" analyzes recent movies. This section of the site will attract a younger, edgier audience.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Sound Check Editor, Sarah Hutman, email: [email protected]; Moviescope Editor, B.J. Sigesmund, email: [email protected]; Top Shelf Editor, Andrea Basora, email: [email protected]; Lead Time: one week
METHODS: A good tip is that most online editors prefer email, as they are online all day long. Newsweek.com follows this rule so add these
names to your address book. Contact all editors in the morning.
COMMENTS: Ideas for this section should be current and able to be updated daily, says the site's Editor Michael Rogers. Artscope archives all Newsweek art reviews in capsule format searchable on the Web site. You'll increase your chances of success if you pitch to these editors by beat.
SECTIONS: Periscope. Mimicking the feature in the magazine, this section focuses on politics, pop culture, personalities and world events. Cyberscope. Covers Web-related issues such as CD ROMs and heavily focuses on personal technologies.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Periscope Editor, B.J. Sigesmund, email: [email protected]; Cyberscope Editor, Laura Fording, email: [email protected], phone: 212/445-5059; Lead Time: one week
METHODS: Again, these editors like email. If it's an urgent story (meaning it has to be published that day) you can call Fording. Be prudent when labeling a story "breaking" - these editors have multiple deadlines during the day.
COMMENTS: Unlike the other sections, Periscope is not breaking news but "tries to report on the news that other people missed," Rogers said. Cyberscope has such a broad range of topics that you really can't go wrong with pitches related to the Web. Editors will always listen to your ideas but can't promise coverage.
Editorial Contacts at Newsweek.com
Main Number: 212/445-4000
Michael Rogers, Editor, 212/445-4940
Sarah Hutman, "Sound Check", [email protected]
Laura Fording, "Cyberscope", [email protected]
Yuval Rosenberg, "Newsmakers", [email protected]
B.J. Sigesmund, "Periscope", [email protected]
Andrea Basora, "Top Shelf", [email protected]
Recent Stories on Newsweek.com
Monday, Oct. 12
"Krishnas Invite Criticism," (in the Periscope section) is about a 30-page expose detailing the history of sexual and physical abuse in Krishna schools. By B. J. Sigesmund.
"France Gets Fresh," (in Cyberscope) about France Telecom and IBM annoucing a new software platform. By Scott Johnson.