In this new monthly feature, we look at where the fruits of some of your labors go. That fancy paperweight or trip invitation to the Bahamas or digital camera that you sent to 30 select journalists may have ended up in the circular file, as a Christmas gift for Aunt Martha, or in a growing "return to sender" pile. While there's never any guarantee that a gift you send to the press results in a positive story about your company or product, Media Monitor will help you to better identify your PR mailing efforts. Each month, we'll look at "gift policies" of three media organizations. Please e-mail editor Debra Murphey at [email protected] with suggestions for profiles in Media Monitor.
Publication: Scientific America, 415 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017-1179
Sources: John Renni (editor in chief), 212/754-0550; Fren Newburg, (HR Director), 212/451-8260
Gift Policy?: No written, formal policy but employees are asked not to accept gifts
What They Do With Your Gifts: Most products are sent back except for books, which are kept after reivew
Comments: All items, even small gifts, are turned over to the human resources department upon receipt. HR gives them to writers and editors when the items are needed for a story or review.
Publication: The Wall street journal, 200 liberty st., New York, NY 10281
Sources: Kate Flatley (editorial assistant), 212/416-2623; Taylor Holiday (assistant editor), 212/416-2487
Gift Policy?: Written policy; staff does not accept gifts, meals or trips. The paper pays for these.
What They Do With Your Gifts: Many are sent back unless it would cost more to mail than the product is worth. About 200 books are sent each week and only one or two get reviewed. Books are kept or given to charities.
Comments: Editors usually will call if they want to review something. For example, they will call the publisher for a book that they want to review.
Publication: The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002-1996
Sources: Pat Innerst (senior department managing editor), 202/636-3204; Colin Walters (book editor), 202/636-3309
Gift Policy?: No formal policy. It varies by person or reporter. A formal policy forbids trips. Only items reviewed are books.
What They Do With Your Gifts: For book reviews, the Times receives about 200 books a week and reviews 15-20. Reviewers will keep books and send them to hospitals or prisons.
Comments: Do not try to convince a Times editor to take a paid trip. If it's worth covering, the paper will foot the bill.