TSP: Nancy Zeman, Producer, HomeFront

By Jason Falls

Engaging consumers is often best done through electronic media. Today’s Straight Pitch turns to radio and television programming specific to the home improvement industry and HomeFront, a multi-media program development company featuring a two-hour radio program, 90-second radio features and 90-second television segments designed to air in local newscasts. Nancy Zeman is a producer, Website editor and media relations coordinator for the company.

The company’s website bills the 10-year-old organization as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing sources for home improvement and home maintenance advice in the country, The Savannah, Ga.-based programs are hosted by builder and contractor Don Zeman, who founded HomeFront.

HomeFront can be found online at www.homefront.com. The website includes audio and video archives of its programming.

THE STRAIGHT PITCH

Name:
Nancy Zeman

Position & Organization:
Media relations/web editor/producer

Organizational Background/Audience Profile:
Multi-media home improvement company offering radio and television. We have a two-hour home improvement radio show, 90-second daily “hints” for radio, and 90-second television segments designed to be run in the news (think “Mr. Food” for home improvement). Our listeners/viewers are homeowners, DIY’ers who are seeking information.

Briefly describe your role:
I am responsible for writing the daily hints, the Website, arranging radio interviews, and planning television segments.

Tell us a little about your background:
I am a print journalist by trade, starting as a part time sports reporter at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Tribune-Star and later sports and general assignment reporter for the Paris (Ill.) Beacon-News. I eventually became managing editor there and at the Danville (Ill.) Commercial News. I am a 1977 graduate of Indiana State University in journalism.

How do you prefer to be approached with story ideas?
Email.

What key ingredients make a pitch appealing to you?
Something that would interest our listeners. Problem solvers.

What methods of pitching or contents within a pitch turn you off to the idea?
Telephone calls from someone who have absolutely no idea what we do.

Which are more helpful in your decision-making, press releases or fact sheets?
Both

Do you prefer broad story ideas or pitches intended for specific segments, features or placement?
Either is fine.

What else can PR professionals do to help you do your job?
Make pictures or video downloadable - easily accessible on a web site. Return telephone calls, understanding we’re on a deadline.

Technorati Tags: Nancy Zeman, HomeFront, home improvement, home improvement program, DIY, do-it-yourself, radio, television, broadcasting, DIY show, DIY program, story pitches, story ideas, media relations, media, public relations, PR

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The Straight Pitch is a feature surveying media members at various levels of responsibility and influence and asking the general question, “How do you like to be pitched?” To recommend a media member, email us at jason@straightpitch.com. If you are a media member and would like to participate, please visit our media survey online by clicking here.

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