Describe your job?
I'm an investigative reporter for 11 Alive News. I usually work on longer pieces for days or weeks at a time that involve government corruption or shady businesses or health and safety issues. I also work as a general assignment reporter during big, breaking news stories and on holidays.

What time/day is best to call?
I think it's fine to call any day during the week. Since I work from about 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., it's easiest to reach me during the morning. I would avoid calling after 4 p.m.--unless the call pertains to a story the reporter's working on for that day's newscasts.

How do you like to be contacted?
It's easy to reach me by phone. I also really like communicating through e-mail. In fact, we get a lot of our story ideas that way. I don't think it's too effective to send an e-mail to the main station mailbox (although those usually end up in the right hands after a few days). Try to use the reporter's direct e-mail address. Don't rely on that alone, though. I was out in the field on a story this week without access to e-mail when a company that was targeted in a lawsuit sent me an e-mail response. Fortunately, I was able to reach someone by phone before the story aired to get the information. So if it's time sensitive and you don't get a response from the reporter, follow the e-mail with a phone call.

Which topics are hot right now? Which are not?
I think any stories involving people's health, safety and finances are always topical. I don't know that I can say whether any idea is particularly hot or not. I try to judge each story idea as it comes in for its own merits.

What's your most memorable experience with a PR person?
I've had some mostly positive experiences with public relations people. I think it makes a big difference when they're responsive and direct. Beating around the bush only makes matters worse. Even if it's a negative story, public relations officials can do a great deal to minimize the damage by working with us. We realize that you have a job to do, just as we do. Our roles aren't always so different.

Anything else you'd like Atlanta's Public Relations/Marketing industry to know?
Thank you for all you do. Please continue to make yourselves accessible. Let our stations know about the positives stories in the community. While we don't always have the resources to cover them, we will always do our best to try. And if you have any investigative story ideas, I'm all ears!

Thank you to our Media Pro Guest Columnist:
Jennifer Leslie
Investigative Reporter
11 Alive News
404-873-9129
jleslie@gannett.com
www.11alive.com