From the April 2006 Mouth:

How To Get Press:

We're often asked what it takes to get on the cover of The Mouth, or how to get an article or announcement published. Okay,we occassionally dance, but there are ways that will not only help you with our humble rag, but some that could also catch the attention of your local newspapers and TV. Here are 5 of my favorites, including advice from Rodney Ho, an entertainment reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and talent guru, Randy Lane.

1) Don’t Just Send Announcements, Give Them A Highlight Reel: Announcing your 20th anniversary on-air is nice, but sharing your 10 favorite, all-time guests, moments, nightmares etc. is the story they’ll run. When Mike Wallace recently announced his retirement, what did you read in the papers? Guests that got away, who impressed him least and most, etc.

2) Newspapers Love Controversy: Rodney Ho says, “ I like run-ins with celebrities or other jocks in town (i.e. Star Jones getting peeved at Star 94's Steve McCoy and hanging up. 640/GST's The Kimmer getting into a fistfight with a Bush hater after the Veteran's Day parade was definitely a story.) If they get an exclusive of a big celebrity and there's newsworthiness to it, that can get ink. Unusual additions to the show can get ink, too. (i.e. V-103 added a drag queen to the show.)

3) Getting Ink Cuts Both Ways. If you want it, you’ve got to be there for reporters, too. Rodney adds: “Like any relationship, I'm certain I give more slack to folks who are more cooperative and more likely to give me information off the record. ... the stakes are so high for jocks that I seldom ply them for "inside dirt" because they'd be the most likely to be pinned. I prefer to get my inside information from other people at a radio station.

4) Include Photos: A photo not only adds to the story, but
gives you more space as well. AND NOT YOUR LOGO..
your photo! Remember, hi-res for print, lo-res for web.

5) Add Your Own Twist To Local News:
Consultant Randy Lanes tells of San Diego’s
Mikey Show responding to protesters at a
political rally, with their own protesters to pro-
test the protesters. This story got immediately
added to every TV story that night in San Diego.
And who can forget then 99X Atlanta producer
Rich Shertenlieb’s infamous “Iron my shirt”
campaign during Martha Burk’s PGA Master’s
protest? Try it, it works.
How did you get in the news? Write and let us
know: themouth@tds.net