What time/day is best to call?
You can always call and leave message on voice mail…but the best time to get me is between 3 to 3:30. That’s usually the time right after our daily afternoon editorial meetings and before I hit the street for my story that day.

How do you prefer to be contacted? (e-mail, phone, fax, mail)
E-mail and phone messages and faxes are all great. Sometimes I’m right out the door on breaking news, though, so I don’t always have a chance to check e-mails and my phone every day. Be sure to always give me and other news reporters plenty of advance time when you can…I’ll try my best to get to your follow-up calls and e-mails are also good.

Which topics are hot right now? Which are not?
Stories we call “Talkers” are what we look for…What we perceive that people are talking about -- or will talk about after seeing it on our newscast. From a mother killing her own children or a police shooting…to a Braves no-hitter or a movie premiere. Topics that are “not hot” for us include anything that you can’t shoot video of and put on TV. We call these newspaper stories.

What's your most memorable experience with a PR person?
I have had several memorable experiences with public relations professionals in Atlanta -- and I have on-going relationships with many. The good ones take care of you making sure you get what you need …and you take care of them. Building that relationship with reporters is key.

Anything else you'd like Atlanta's Public Relations industry to know?
Atlanta is a big city with a lot going on…sometimes we have to drop things we are working on and move onto something else. Never take it personally and don’t assume that if we have to pass on your story one day, we won’t use it another day. It’s the downside of the business but it also keeps you on your toes.

Thank you to our Media Pro Guest Columnist:
Fred Powers
TV Reporter
WGCL-TV CBS-46
Office: 404-327-3000
Fax: 404-327-3004
fpowers@wgcltv.com