I caught up with ITN entertainment executive producer Jamie Scott after Friday’s Gorkana breakfast briefing. Here are his PR top tips for getting coverage on ITN entertainment shows such as The Fix (4Music), Inside Hollywood (5USA), 5* Access (5*), The Movie Show & FYI Daily (ITV2).
PR Tips from ITN Entertainment:
“If you have access to a celeb that is relevant to 18-30 year olds then get in touch, we’ll run a story” – Jamie Scott, executive producer, ITN entertainment
- “There are some movie stars that are so famous we don’t have a choice to go live to on the red carpet. But we do fewer than we used to” – Max Velody, entertainment editor, London Tonight
- Charities don’t get any special treatment at Channel 4 News, but if the story is strong enough it will be run
“To get charity exposure on London Tonight you need a celebrity to get their feet dirty, get out there and get involved” - Max Velody
“Even half-famous celebs like Dr Karl Kennedy can get coverage. Come to us first for advice and we’ll help with the angle” – Jamie Scott
- Surveys pitched to London Tonight need to have London figures, otherwise they won’t run
“ITN content is available to every territory in the world outside of North Korea. PRs shouldn’t be funny about shooting for regional channels” – Max Velody
- If you’re pitching a story to a TV programme like London Tonight make sure you watch it first!
“Access is crucial – if you can get us backstage or in the editing studio then we love it!” – Jamie Scott
- Channel 4 News has a broader arts scope. If you’re a PR with access to costume designers etc then get in touch
“Channel 4 News cares about album charts more than singles charts. It’s a broader, more creative range of artists” – Matthew Cain, culture editor for Channel 4 News
- Channel 4 News is interested in culture stories that reflect cultural trends, and real people’s lives
“We don’t see culture as ‘light relief’. We’re looking for texture in culture/entertainment stories” – Matthew Cain
- London Tonight and Channel 4 News will not use third party interviews
“Come to us for London stories, trends, fashion, nightlife and popstars in connection with the Olympics” – Jamie Scott
I’d like to say a big thanks to Jamie Scott and the other ITN entertainment producers and editors who made for a truly excellent breakfast briefing. Here’s what a few of the PRs had to say:
“Very interesting briefing with ITN worth checking out the video on @gorkana”
“Funniest Gorkana breakfast yet thanks to @jamieproducer. Oh, and very informative.”“Enjoyed the entertainment breakfast briefing #gorkana #PR this morning. Great insights from @matthewcainc4 @jpascoe and @jamieproducer“
