WAMU
4000 Brandywine St. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Dial up your pitch power to gain air time on both The Diane Rehm Show and Public Interest, both produced by WAMU 88.5 FM and heard across the country on National Public Radio. Hear your ideas broadcasted across the air waves by pitching an idea/topic to the producers or booking your client as a guest. It would be wise to spend some time with your ear to the dial before buttering up these producers: they'll only be impressed if you show knowledge of the shows' content and guests.
SECTIONS
The Diane Rehm Show
In July 1996, the show became part of NPR's National Program Service with 125,000 listeners in the Washington, DC/Baltimore areas. The talk show is topic-driven and has about 2-3 guests each day (airs weekdays from 10 a.m. until noon).
EDITORS/LEAD TIME
Executive Producer: Diane Rehm
email: [email protected]
Phone: 202/885-1200
Lead Time: at least one week
METHODS
The volume of pitches does not allow the producers of the show to speak directly with you about story ideas or booking a guest.
Send pitches by snail mail. Don't expect a response to axed ideas.
COMMENTS
Calling the show's voice mail will give you a good idea of how overloaded the staff is with pitches. The recording rattles off an explicit list of dos and don'ts for the show.
You can leave a message, but you'll befriend these producers if you don't add to the long list of voice mails they receive. Send a package by snail mail and hope for the best.
SECTIONS
Public Interest
Also part of NPR's National Program Service, Public Interest is hosted by Kojo Nnamdi.
The show leans toward political issues such as education, racial issues and DC politics. It also has segments about the Y2K bug.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME
Executive Producer:
Elaine Bole
Fax: 202/885-1217
Phone: 202/885-1230
Lead Time: at least one week
METHODS
To suggest a topic or book a guest, fax no more than three pages to the producers. Snail mail also is acceptable.
Producers will review each fax, but cannot respond to every one. You'll hear from them if your pitch gets air time.
COMMENTS
Public Interest has regular guest slots such as "The Computer Guys," John Gilroy and Tom Piwowar; and Mark Plotkin's "DC Politics Hour." This leaves less time for topic suggestions and other guests.
Editorial Contacts
Main Number: 202/885-1200
Note: Contact all Producers by Main Number
Sandra Pinkard Producer The Diane Rehm Show
Anne Adams Producer The Diane Rehm Show
Elizabeth Terry Producer The Diane Rehm Show
Graham Griffith Producer Public Interest
Recent Stories/Guests
Monday, Nov. 9. "Surviving the Silence," on Public Interest. Author Charlotte Pierce-Baker discussed her book about black women who have been raped and felt the need to remain silent in order to protect themselves and their race.
Monday, Nov. 9. "The Future of the GOP," on The Diane Rehm Show. Guests: Vin Weber, political consultant and former Republican Congressman; Josette Shiner, Empower America; E.J. Dionne, Washington Post and the Brookings Institution; Major Garrett, U.S. News and World Report.