October 22, 2009
Every Monday from 6-9pm MST @PRsarahevans hosts Journchat on Twitter. One question lead me to write this post.
My answers:
Even though I was going for witty and funny in my first answer, both answers are actually serious. A press release with a nice goody basket these days definitely helps the event stand out in everyone’s minds as we go into our editorial meetings, but if what you’re trying to get us to cover just doesn’t fit anywhere into our news goals, you probably won’t get coverage. Crew availability and story content play heavily into the decisions of shoot event for a 20 second spot in the newscast vs shoot an entire package, edit said package, engineer and shoot reporter live shot.
That 20 second shoot may be worth all of the effort to cover the event if it fits into the CBS4 News brand and goals. If your press release doesn’t show us how it fits the brand, it may be overlooked and not covered. I won’t lie, I do miss the big, fun, press releases the news desk used to receive, but I hands down I would rather have a tailored pitch that tells me the angle of the story that fits a CBS4 News franchise or the overall brand.
Each station in Denver has its own news goals and identity. This is true of most television markets. I know this is even more work for the PR professional who already has to look for and work with many different traditional and Internet media outlets, blogs, for coverage. If you are able to make a tailored pitch, I believe you would get more coverage.
I often receive pitches where after a while I’m able to see the angle that would make it a relevant story to the producers. I then pitch the story hitting the angle I see and explain why this story fits. I admit I don’t have the time to always do this, and I don’t work 24 – 7 so I have no doubt that we have missed out on some great stories.
How can you find out what stations, newspapers, bloggers want in a story? You need to ask and to research, or hire a company to do this for you. If you were to contact me or the station news desk, I have no problem answering your questions to explain the different franchises like, Project Green, or to tell you things like, "you won’t find a cooking segment during our morning show." Research by watching the newscasts and searching the Web site. You’ll find every franchise listed under different section headings in the column on the left hand side of the site.
P.S. Yes, I do wish I had caught by spelling error in my journchat answer before I hit enter, before it was ReTweeted, but I didn't and now have to live with it!
P.P.S See the past newscast names and station slogans on WikiPedia. (Scroll 2/3 down the page.) In my nine years with the station there have been three newscast names and three station slogans.
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
October 2, 2009
I must share the craziness that I heard today because it’s all so random and on my mind. I must share to make it a self-therapy of sorts. If I have to deal with it, then you, who read this, can share and get a peek into the craziness I hear day in and day out.
As I walked onto the news desk this afternoon I heard from one of the scanner, Aurora I think but can’t be sure since I was just stepping onto the desk, “Reported vandalism of a car. Caller says a man is hitting a car with ... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
September 26, 2009
I understand how difficult it is to be a PIO or PR rep during breaking news or a developing situation. (For rest of post I will use PIO-Public Information Officer-to refer to all media reps.) I relate to your job as I compare it to that of my own as an assignment editor. I only know what is happening by what I’m told by news crews on scene, witnesses or PIOs; or by what I hear on the scanners.
Producers, writers, editors, managers, reporters, photographers constantly ask me for more det... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
September 24, 2009
I’ve been called many things and accused of many things by those who call the newsroom to share their complaints, frustration, and anger. I’ve been accused of being an instigator by encouraging and rallying for reaction from the public. I was thrown back a little the other day when a caller accused me and the media in general of NOT inciting the public.
When I answered the phone the caller immediately launched into his tale without pausing for breath. He rambled about September 25t... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
September 16, 2009
Since September 10th when the undercover video at ACORN was released I, and my coworkers, have taken many calls, emails and social media comments on the story. With confidence I can say 90% of the comments were nasty and mean. Only a few times did I see an email, direct Twitter message, or phone call that didn’t make me brace myself for another lashing. Those few comments were actually questions instead of accusation. They were questions of “how is a national story like ACORN covered ... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
September 1, 2009
This afternoon the news desk received two very viable news tips. I was unable to confirm either tip. My gut tells me that tomorrow, both tips will be a story.
It’s frustrating when this happens. I can only do so much from the news desk like make as many calls as possible until I reach anyone who will give me an answer. If the answer is no comment or no that’s incorrect, I’m stuck.
I’m on the news desk communicating through email, phone calls and even Twitter. None of th... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
August 18, 2009
This afternoon the news desk received the below email with a simple subject line of "Hello".
Hello! I dream, to meet my significant other, a native part of soul, a kind, fair, true the person who can establish a strong, friendly family. In which there will be a main thing, respect, trust, love, sincerity, to each other. I will be very happy to see your letters here: (Web address listed here)
Attached to the email is a picture of a beautiful young lady in a red clingy, but not too reve... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
August 12, 2009
I have mentioned before the amount of email we receive on the news desk. Hundreds. We have to sort through them for vital information needed by deadline; for press releases updating continuing stories or notices for upcoming events; for internal station and corporate memos; and for valid news tips. I think only half of what is emailed is actually useful to us. The rest is basically spam from companies (news wire services, and even some PR firms) all over the nation doing mass emails to al... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
August 8, 2009
Me: "CBS4 News this is Misty"
Caller: "This is John Doe and you don't know me from hell cause I've kept it that way but I just have to do something to help Michael. You see I was a child actor and under contract with Disney at 18. Then I went on to be a producer at Liberty UA. I worked with Dick Clark to create the American Music Awards."
(I didn't interrupt, but I knew I was in for a long call if I let it go on, but it was quiet in the newsroom and he wasn't being irate or belligerent. I ... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
August 1, 2009
I was accused of not believing in the freedom of information by an upset caller today. I wasn’t surprised by his outburst because he started off the conversation very abrasive. This was a new accusation though. I’ve been called many things over the phone while on the news desk, but my belief in freedom of information has never been questioned before today.
Me: CBS4 News this is Misty
Caller: Yes, I’d like to know why I can’t find the phone numbers of all the stations in De... Continue reading...
Posted by Misty Montano. Posted In :
Assignment News Desk
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About Me
This picture captures the exact moment when I was stuck by a safety-pin! It so happens this is an expression I occasionally have as an assignment editor at CBS4 News in Denver. Daily and breaking news coverage changes moment by moment, often leaving me surprised at how we actually get a newscast on the air!
When young kids come for a tour at the station I tell them, to think of me as they would think of their teachers. Internally I'm thinking, "you have no idea how similar a newsroom is to the classroom!" This is my blog on the craziness and adventures of the newsroom and my thoughts on media using social media.
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