Info

Pitching PR

Join host Lesley Luce as she cuts through the jargon and puts a new spin on the PR industry. In each episode, we interview experts who have made their mark in Public Relations, Social Media and creative industries and share their insight for taking your career to the next level. Find out more at www.pitchgraphicdesign.com
RSS Feed
Pitching PR
2019
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
February
January


2018
December
November
October
August
July
June


2017
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2018
Dec 6, 2018

It’s “Christmas in July” and December and honestly kinda feels like all year long. So today, we discuss with Erinn Stewart, a Toronto-based content creator and freelance journalist, the in’s and out’s of creating Holiday gift guides and the best practices for pitching one to busy media and influencers.

Topics:

  • How Erinn’s journalism career got started and which topics are on her beat.
  • Understanding the business culture of publications and how to use this to pitch efficiently.
  • We review the Holiday editorial calendar and when is the best time to follow up with writers.
  • The importance of in-person meetings vs. being phone-friends
  • Tips for making your gift guides stand out in a crowded media landscape
  • The  secret is out, Erinn reveals her best and worst gift guide pitches.

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form.

Quotes:

“The Editor is the gatekeeper. I could submit twenty great items for a gift guide and then my Editor could cut three of them because they didn’t think they were a fit.” -Erinn Stewart

“Sometimes those coffee meetings aren’t always revolving around a new launch or a new product, sometimes they’re just kind of a get to know you and that is sometimes even more valuable.” Erinn Stewart

“If the product is really awesome, that is really half the battle. So be honest with your Client’s and manage their expectations.” -Erinn Stewart

Resources:

Erinn on Twitter

Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram

Nov 6, 2018

Today on the podcast we are asking the question: Is the press release dead? And the three worst rookie mistakes you can make when writing one.

To help us decide if press releases still have a pulse is Alistair Clay - an award-winning former national journalist with 20 years’ experience working in the media and PR.

He is the founder of Class:PR, the online PR training school, which has helped 100s of startups and small businesses around the world land major media coverage.

Topics:

  • Allistar’s move from Journalism to PR and how class PR got its start.
  • Is the Press Release as we know it dead?
  • Tips for writing a catchy headline or subject line.
  • How the press release has evolved from old school to new school.
  • Teaching Clients to think like a Journalist.
  • Top three Rookie mistakes

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based design agency that exclusively works with PR Agencies; helping them create award-winning campaigns and win new clients. If you are looking to secure new clients and with Lesley at Pitch, please fill out the contact form.

Quotes:

“If you can’t encapsulate your news in fewer than twenty-five words it isn’t news.” -Alistair Clay

Resources:

Class PR

Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram

Oct 2, 2018

On this episode of Pitching PR, I get to speak with Natalie Petozzi. She explains what it’s like working at film festivals, particularly managing press junkets and dealing with unexpected bumps in the road.

Natalie worked as an assistant at Alliant Films before joining Entertainment One’s PR/Promotions department. Now, she manages their PR team. Every year, she also works the Toronto International Film Festival. Listen in as Natalie describes her career path and what it’s like managing press junkets at film festivals.

Topics:

  • How Natalie promotes films for festivals
  • The festival process
  • Booking press events
  • Managing variables
  • Preparing for TIFF
  • Anticipating inappropriate questions from the press
  • Using social media
  • Natalie’s biggest “uh-oh” moment

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form. 

Resources:

Entertainment One

TIFF

Natalie’s Instagram

Natalie’s Twitter

Quotes:

“The biggest thing that I’ve learned over the years is to build buffer time into your schedule.” -Natalie Petozzi 

“Remember that you’re dealing with people and they have their own quirks.” -Natalie Petozzi 

“Everything will work out…you just have to adapt and do your best…Never assume that a schedule is finalized.” -Natalie Potosi

Aug 15, 2018

Shannon Lee Simmons is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CIM (Chartered Investment Manager, media personality, and founder of the New School of Finance.

As the Author of Worry-Free Money, Shannon is considered a trailblazer in the Canadian financial planning industry. Today, we discuss the financial aspect of being a PR freelancer and/or agency owner. Tune in to hear her great insights!

Topics:

  • The New School of Finance
  • How to financially plan for running your own business
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • How to finance professional development
  • Pros and cons of hourly and flat rates
  • The importance of keeping and organizing receipts
  • How to bill appropriately
  • Understanding business taxes
  • The big mistake all freelancers make

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form.

Resources:

New School of Finance

Shannon’s Website

Worry-Free Money

Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram

Quotes:

“As a corporation, you get to choose how much money comes out of the corporation to be your personal income.” -Shannon Lee Simmons

“Just making sure that you’re up-to-date on what the government allows you to write off...it can be a bit sticky.” -Shannon Lee Simmons

“The lack of tracking expenses and then not having enough money put aside for taxes. It is something that can kill your business.” - Shannon Lee Simmons

Jul 10, 2018

In this episode, we’ll be chatting with Megan Driscoll, CEO of Evolve MKD in New York City.

Megan (who founded Evolve MKD) was named one of PR Week’s 40 Under 40 and has received over ten industry award-wins, including Female Entrepreneur of the Year – the agency is known for having a passionate staff and positive work environment.

Tune in to hear our discussion about creating this positive environment and how Megan intends to perpetuate this atmosphere.

Topics:

  • What sets Evolve MKD apart
  • Why internal culture is so important
  • Creating a positive work environment
  • How to measure the intangibles
  • Mentoring

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based design firm that works exclusively with PR Agencies. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form.

Resources:

Evolve MKD

Evolve MKD on Facebook

Evolve MKD on Instagram

Evolve MKD on LinkedIn

Jun 19, 2018

Leslie has been on maternity leave for a year. Now, she is back working full time and has some knowledge to share with other working mothers. Tune in to hear Leslie’s insights into managing a business while on maternity leave.

Topics:

  • Setting boundaries for yourself
  • Recognizing that something has to give
  • Remaining flexible
  • Adjusting plans as necessary
  • The importance of delegation

This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form.

Resources:

Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram

Quotes:

“Sometimes boundary setting doesn’t come easy...it can be as simple as saying ‘no’ to new projects or setting office hours.” -Leslie Luce

“When we moved to a more structured sleep schedule, the windows I could work were limited to two hours and only over nap time.” -Leslie Luce

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help; it is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of greater self-awareness.” -Leslie Luce

1