Media often send out what we call “Media Calls” or Media Call outs”. They are notifications of what they need for a story and Requests for pitches. I currently receive them via email, twitter or sometimes by phone.

Media usually list SPECIFICALLY what they need and the deadline and who to contact. If I have what they need then I respond with the details requested. If I don’t, I usually you put a call out to my networks to see if anyone else has the info required.
It s a good opportunity to share the media love and possibly score some exposure out of it J.
The point is this, when the Media or I send these out if you want to be in with a chance you need to respond accordingly and promptly!

Media are on deadlines all the time. They don’t have time to follow-up and chase info. Best practice is to give them what they what first go.
 HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MEDIA CALL from JETSTAR MAGAZINE:
Journo: “I need for June edition of Jetstar Mag the following:

1. Events after 15 June
2. a “celeb” to interview with something new going on in July (tour, new release etc) for ‘10 Minutes With’ section
3. late-night eats in Hobart, Christchurch, Darwin, Cairns, Launceston, Gold Coast, Perth, Mackay, Geelong
4. the best chocolate factory tour in Australia
5. ideas, events and activities to entertain the kids (12 yo and under) this June holidays
6. Residents’ (between 25-40yo) recommendations : Bali / Jakarta,  Bangkok / Phuket, Christchurch /  Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, Honolulu, Osaka /  Tokyo; Sydney, Gold  Coast, Cairns (the last three will be translated to Japanese). They get to answer a questionnaire and give me their photo and designation.”

Now it seems very clear what they needed. If you had what they wanted you would respond with a short email with the WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN & CONTACT DETAILS (phone, webs, email & contact person). You would also send a high res photo if relevant.

If you do not have ALL of those things - don’t bother sending it to them as they will delete your email and you will waste their time. Also, it is not appropriate to take the opportunity to pitch another story in the hope they might need it for ‘next time’. Not cool.

The TIP is to make it EASY for media to receive your information and reproduce it in their publication/blog/news site.

MEDIA CALLS are like little golden opportunities that if you have the chance to be notified of one, try your hardest to make it work for you! It is one of the rare times the media ask for info from us opposed to the other way around.