#MediaMonday – Jackie Charniga
Happy #MediaMonday! This feature comes from our Public Relations Global Network partner agency in Detroit, Franco. The agency recently caught up with Jackie Charniga, an automotive reporter for the Detroit Free Press who covers general auto assignments and General Motors, in their Meet The Media blog series.
Read a preview below for more from Jackie and get the full post here!
Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now?
Stories about advanced driver-assist systems, electric vehicle battery technology, the broader automotive supply chain and vehicle affordability seem to be chronic for the industry these days. Personally, I’m interested in exploring Detroit’s future in automotive and how the city evolves alongside the automakers that operate in the state.
What story or stories are you most proud of?
This might be lame, but I don’t have a favorite. I’m proud of almost every enterprise-level project I’ve undertaken, like the intersection between the opioid epidemic and auto manufacturing and, most recently, the culture clash between Silicon Valley entrants to Midwestern-based automotive companies.
What advice do you have for PR people who want to pitch you?
Any email (yes, please start with an email) should have the following: (1) Proof that you have working knowledge of either my recent work, my publication or the audience I am trying to court. (2) A reason, based on the previous, why I should consider writing about the topic you propose or look to the person you’re offering to pursue a story. (3) A method of contacting you, the person you’re hoping that I reach out to, or additional resources where I can quickly vet this person or corporation. If I don’t reply but you feel that I really should, please follow up. Trust me, it’s not rude, I’m just really busy and my inbox fills up fast.
Any pet peeves with PR people?
See above but picture the opposite. I know some excellent reporters that have pre-written and totally scathing replies to PR people who pitch off-topic stories. I promise I’m not that bad. But I get it. Pitching something completely unrelated to my beat, or something that I literally just covered and therefore wouldn’t be interested in covering again only days later, is obnoxious. Unless you have an absolutely amazing suggestion that I hadn’t thought of, tread carefully. And a personal touch goes a long way. Any small detail that lets me know this message wasn’t automated, that you are a real person that I can get ahold of, is useful and far more likely to get a response.
