1. Reaching out to media
Simple ways to share your events and information
with the community

2. Who we are
Tom Celona
News Editor for publications
including The Souderton
Independent, Perkasie News-
Herald and Ambler Gazette.
Primary coverage area:
Souderton, Telford, Perkasie,
Lower Salford, Salford, Franconia,
Sellersville, East Rockhill, West
Rockhill, Hilltown, Ambler, Lower
Gwynedd, Upper Dublin,
Whitpain, Silverdale, Dublin,
Bedminster, Upper Salford

3. Who we are
Executive Editor for The Reporter
Primary coverage area: Lansdale,
Montgomery Township, Upper
Gwynedd, Towamencin, North
Wales, Hatfield Borough and
Township
We also include stories from:
Souderton, Lower Salford, Perkasie,
Telford, Sellersville, Lower Gwynedd
and Whitpain
Ann Cornell

4. We’ve come a long way, baby….
It’s not a spectator sport!
Reporting reflects the 24/7 news cycle
Online is the new town square
Alternate storytelling methods
The modern
news attitude

5. Should we meet in person?
 Have you established relationships with
our publications?
 Does communication need to improve?
 Is there a big upcoming event?
 Is your business undergoing a major
change or expansion?

6. Pitching the story
Appoint a specific media contact – if
you don’t already have one
Research local media (newspaper,
websites)
Find names, phone numbers and e-
mails

7. Press releases
 Keep it simple! No adjectives!
We know your event is ‘awesome’ and ‘great’
 The 5 W’s and H
Who, what, when, where, why and how
 Give the best contact for who to reach to get more
information/planning
 Be specific – example, a preferred time for photos,
when the most ‘action’ will be
 SEND THE NOTICE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN
ADVANCE – our schedules are filled with great
events like yours
 Do not use all caps in your email, special fonts
 Feel free to write message in the body of the email
and include an attachment if necessary

8. Wait… what?! Bad press release

9. Much better!! … Good release

10. If the press goes…
Printed story and story online
Newspaper will tweet and Facebook
the story to its readers
If the press does not go…
Don’t get frustrated, keep submitting
Submit yourself (photos to be published in print on
future days, on our Facebook page)

11. Ways YOU can get the
word out

12. Other ways to work with us
Columns, blogs
Media sponsorship for big events
Contest prizes or sponsorship

13. Questions?
Ann Cornell
acornell@thereporteronline.com
215-361-8820
Tom Celona
tcelona@montgomerynews.com
215-542-0200, ext. 264

14. For more information…
The Reporter
www.thereporteronline.com
215-361-8814
Souderton Independent
www.soudertonindependent.com
215-723-4801
The Reporter and Souderton Independent
307 Derstine Avenue
Lansdale, PA 19446

15. THANK YOU!