VC firm Andreessen Horowitz is building what you might call its own Wired — a pro-tech media brand appealing both to consumers and business. It’s unnamed as yet, but A16Z is hiring fast. So far, at least, parts of it appear to be pitchable.
SWMS contributor Rhiannon Pacheco writes: We connected with Bloomberg consumer tech reporter Mark Gurman to explore what it would take for him to cover a less well-established company than Apple, and why he’s excited to explore (and cover) the technology that will follow the smartphone.
Cade Metz is consistent. We interviewed him in 2008, 2012 and 2015. Each time he has carried the same message: though he reports on tech, it’s always about the people. This week we checked in with Cade to discuss Genius Makers, his new book about “the mavericks who brought AI to Google, Facebook and the world.” Again with the people!
Forbes senior editor Alex Konrad gave us a metric ton of insight this month — one article just wasn’t enough. So this week we plumb the notebook of SWMS contributor Rhiannon Pacheco, who interviewed Alex earlier this month, and present the rest of Alex’s thoughtful and heartfelt advice for PR pros looking to win his attention.
Sometimes it pays to go to the top. If you’re pitching something truly conceptual — something that can make a publication look prescient in the long run — then go to the editorial board. We’ve got a list of six boards for you, with contact info.
Christopher Mims isn’t your typical Tier 1 columnist. Chris reports his theses. Coming from a science background, he surrounds his opinions with lots of evidence — much of it empirical. Given the challenges associated with pitching someone like Chris, it might be best to think of him as a proxy for all of “Tier 1.”
Few topics captivate reporters more than the future. SWMS this week studied the past two “The Future of Everything” reports in the WSJ — and a dozen stories in Fast Company’s The Shape of Tomorrow section — to identify pitch approaches that might work for you.
Are you struggling to interest Tier 1 reporters in lesser-known clients? So is Jason Calacanis. The former journalist and well-known investor and podcaster sounded off Jul. 7 to CNBC’s Jon Fortt and two other hosts about the trouble he and other VCs have had in breaking through — especially to the New York Times.
Fast Company technology editor Harry McCracken sheds light on newsgathering at physical and virtual events, and changes in FC edit coverage brought on by Covid and other factors. Interview was conducted July 2020.
Barron’s associate editor Eric Savitz weighs in on virtual events — those from Barron’s and others — and what it might take for them to succeed. One thing is for sure, Eric says: “People are trying to make them work.”
YOUR ACCOUNT
Now 41 publications and counting on the SWMS "Predictions 2022" cheat sheet
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Cheat Sheet: Predictions 2022, SWMS
By popular demand, here's our best shot on where to pitch your 2022 predictions. We base the list on who wrote predictions last year
mediasurvey.com
Some personal news... After 7 incredible and richly rewarding years at @FortuneMagazine, I am moving on.
I’m joining (aping into?) Andreessen Horowitz to lead content and editorial for the crypto fund, @a16z Crypto. (Not a joke!)
Some career news: Friday will be my last day at Protocol. I'm proud of the work I did at Protocol and will always be a fan of the team's ambitious work.
Predictions 2022 articles have begun to appear. We're working on an SWMS cheat sheet to be published this week. https://t.co/ECd9Ix3hwI
FRIDGE NOTES
Thank you Dotted Line Communications, Engage PR, Kickstand Communications, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and Tanis Communications for renewing your SWMS subscription. And welcome SourceCode Communications!
Here’s a scrollable look at everything we did in Q3. Ideal for phones.
You can reach this site either by typing/bookmarking mediasurvey.com or samwhitmore.com
