The Inner Circle Round Up: Media News You Can Use October 2018
By Elizabeth Harmon and Dee Donavanik
Trick or treat?! We’ll go with treat, and share the latest edition of new media updates the Inner Circle has recently learned about. From additions to the tech team over at the Washington Post to the upcoming return of former Today Show co-host Tamron Hall, there’s lots of media opportunities on the horizon. Any new outlets you’re excited about? Let us know over on Twitter (@ScottCircle)!
What’s New (and New-ish)
Openly: New Website from Thomson Reuters Foundation
Thomson Reuters Foundation launches a new online platform dedicated to “delivering fair, accurate and impartial LGBT+ news to a world that isn’t.” The independent news organization aggregates TR content and also hosts original content that is distributed to all Reuters clients, with the potential to reach over a billion readers each day!
The Inner Circle Take: Working with a client who has something to say on human rights or social issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community? Openly is a great new platform where you can not only get the latest news from a variety of sources, but share your own expertise, event listings, and more.
Tamron Hall: Hosting New Talk Show with Disney and ABC
Former Today Show co-host and NBC alum Tamron Hall is planning a comeback for fall 2019 when her syndicated daytime talk show will launch, in partnership with Disney-ABC. In the words of Hall herself, “I want you to know that I’m in there with you. I’m the girl next door, and you’re my neighbor. We are all community.”
The Inner Circle Take: We’ll keep an eye out to see what format the show will take. It sounds like there will be opportunities to share feel-good stories and highlight issues that make real impact in local communities.
Morning Consult: New Verticals in Entertainment and Sports
Morning Consult introduced two verticals focusing on entertainment and sports. The coverage will highlight the latest news in entertainment and sports, along with trends and data. The new verticals join the wide range of topics Morning Consult covers including Brands, Energy, Finance, Health, Tech, and Washington.
The Inner Circle Take: Morning Consult bases most of their coverage on their polls and data they collect but they seek outside experts for commentary. These new verticals diversify their offerings, giving PR pros who work with clients in the sports and entertainment field a new opportunity for comment. As polls and data may not be made public beforehand, try reaching out to the editorial team to keep your client in mind, as stories develop.
Slate has launched a daily podcast “What Next,” like many other publishers, following the success of the New York Times’ “The Daily.” The show will unwrap the news of the day, posting new episodes in time for evening commutes. The show is hosted by Mary Harris, former host of
“Only Human” on WNYC and features interviews with a wide range of guests.
The Inner Circle Take: “What Next” follows many others trying to capitalize on popular round-up news briefs. They only feature journalists from a variety of outlets, but if your client has an interesting perspective on news of the day, it never hurts to try pitching the show’s producers a unique angle to base their show around.
Washington Post: Expanding Tech Coverage
The Post is adding 11 new positions dedicated to technology coverage - including reporters, editors, and video journalists - bringing the new total to 25. Per business editor David Cho, “The technology industry - with its dramatic impact on every individual, every industry and the political arena - is at the center of a profound national debate.”
The Inner Circle Take: Chances are pretty good that even if your client isn’t a traditional “tech” company, their organization is doing something that involves tech - whether it’s online security, social media platforms, or something else related. Technology certainly intersects with many different industries, so it makes sense for the Post to dedicate more resources to covering this issue. Bonus chance for coverage if you can provide some engaging visuals, as WaPo’s San Fran bureau will now include a video studio!