TIME & LIFE BUILDING, ROCKEFELLER CENTER
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10020; PHONE: 212/522-1212
Editor's Note: Sometimes we can reach an editor's voicemail three or four times before we find a real person on the other end and often those we do call don't call us back promptly. But we found the editors and writers at People refreshingly easy to get ahold of and professionally candid - yet not biting - about what it is they need from PR practitioners. We give them an A+ for manners and hope you heed their advice.
| Section(s) |
Medical/Science/Health News Focus can be anything from newfangled research to touching exposes about victims. |
| Editor(s) | Senior Editor: Joe Poindexter; Phone: 212/522-4840, Fax: 212/522-0331 |
|
Days to Contact/ Days to Avoid |
Poindexter has a full plate of news to weed through, so he faces several deadlines a week and really doesn't have a light day. |
| Methods | Poindexter wants to receive pitches by general mail or fax and isn't keen on e-mail. Although he'll take a call or accept a pitch via voicemail in a pinch, he wants news to come to him in writing. |
| Comments | "Pitches should be as brief as possible" and should be in sync with the tone of the magazine, Poindexter reminded. As all editors and reporters continue to tell us, there are too many PR practitioners sending releases to media outlets that aren't germaine to what they cover. |
| Section(s) |
TV News News here doesn't just have some sort of celebrity angle - it has to encompass celebrities who are "living interesting lives." |
| Editor(s) | TV Writer: Mike Lipton; Phone: 212/522-2251; Fax: 212/522-1066 |
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Days to Contact/ Days to Avoid |
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days for PR pitches. Avoid the end of the week when production nears and deadlines are tight |
| Methods | You're more likely to earn Lipton's favor if you send a pitch in writing through general mail. Resort to a phone call or fax if you're gutsy and sure that's the most suitable route. |
| Comments | Lipton's advice is about as straightforward as you can get: "Read the magazine and know what it is we would want." |
| Section(s) |
Special Issues News This is where news - such as the 50 Most Beautiful People feature - that People is known for runs. |
| Editor(s) | Special Issues Senior Editor: Liz Sporki; Phone: 212/522-4341 |
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Days to Contact/ Days to Avoid |
Since Sporkin works on stories or features that focus on special issues, she's working on pieces months ahead of time so factor that variable in. It's probably best to send a pitch at the beginning of the week before pitches stack up. |
| Methods | Sporkin wants a pitch, including releases as well as press kits, to come to her by mail. |
| Comments | If Sporkin is always as rushed on the phone as she was when we got her on the line, it's fair to conclude that you better be speedy as well as quick-witted if you're going to hold her attention. |
| Section(s) |
Books, Art, "Bytes" & "Family Feuds" (These are topic categories, not sections) |
| Editor(s) | Senior Editor: Kristin McMurran; Phone: 212/522-2498 |
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Days to Contact/ Days to Avoid |
McMurran practically lives on deadline but we were able to reach her in the early afternoon. |
| Methods | Here's the deal: McMurran hates, "absolutely hates," faxes. |
| Comments | McMurran is so cautious about the PR relationships she forms that she only gives out her e-mail to publicists and PR professionals she trusts. |