10:42am: A morning producer loves a story idea we pitch. Due to a slew of business, our client can not drive to the TV studio for a morning live appearance in two days. I ask the producer if she can send a live truck to the client’s business or schedule him another day. The producer says let’s plan on sending a live truck. She will double check her available crews the following day.
2:13pm: A reporter from the same station emails, saying she is about to head into her afternoon meeting. She asks if there’s a chance our client would be available that day for the same story. I respond the morning producer wants our client live in two days.
2:27pm: The reporter says her news director believes the story will be old in two days. The news director would love to air the story that day during the evening newscasts.
2:37pm: After the morning producer doesn’t answer her phone, I text her. I explain I told a reporter at her station that we scheduled the story for two days later. But the reporter says the news director believes the story will be old in two days. I ask the producer, “What do you want me to do?” I didn’t receive a response.
3:23pm: I confirm our client is available for the media that day. After not hearing back from the morning producer, I contact the reporter, saying the client is available and asking her to ensure everything is cool with the producer. I explain I’ve been unable to reach the producer by phone or text.
3:28pm: The reporter writes, “I think we’re good!” and plans to head toward our client’s office. She says she will try to get in touch with the morning producer ASAP.
3:42pm: I text the morning producer again, explaing the reporter is heading to our client’s office. I explain I asked the reporter to contact her. I explain I told the reporter I don’t want to upset the producer. I don’t receive a response.
5:23pm: The reporter says she did not hear back from the producer, but our client was a wonderful interview. The reporter believes the live morning appearance in two days should still hold because the newscasts include totally different demographics.
3:16am the next day: The morning producer texts me. She got my texts the night before. She cancels the morning live appearance. She requests in the furture, I don’t pitch stories to more than one person at the station. She requests if one show turns down the pitch, I should then try another show afterward.
9:06am: I text the morning produer I understand. I explain I will pitch her first at the station and wait to hear back. I also explain reporters and produers sometimes don’t respond to our pitches for a day or two or don’t respond at all. I ask how long I should wait for a response until I pitch someone else. I explain if I wait too long to pitch the story to someone else, a timely story such as this one might quickly be considered old news. I also point out reporters call us to put them in touch with clients and other experts we know. But after reaching those clients or experts and confirming their availability, reporters sometimes have already found someone else to interview. Reporters do not always feel they can wait until we get back to them before also searching elsewhere for interviews. The morning producer did not respond.