This is a guest post by Amy McElhaney, Print Manager of Media Research at Cision.
Each holiday season shoppers are on the hunt for the perfect gift, whether it’s for their quirky second cousin or their best friend who seems to have everything. Consumers search websites and scan magazines’ Gift Guides for unique ideas. Magazines’ annual Holiday Gift Guide editions are the perfect opportunity for PR professionals to get their products noticed by eager buyers. Editorial staffs advise marketers to begin their media planning as early as possible, ideally in the summer months when magazine staffs are gearing up for the holiday season issues.
Photo courtesy of Muffet via Flickr
Cision recently released its 2011 Holiday Gift Guide briefing book, giving users of the Cision Media Database a critical jump on securing coverage in Holiday Gift Guide editions of major media outlets. Not only does it include important pitching advice for PR pros, but it provides lists of gift guide contacts as well as their deadline dates. Pitching timely, appropriate products is essential for securing product placement opportunities. One magazine staffer explains, “I do not like it when PR professionals do not give us enough time to review pitches. We have a long process to decide whether or not we will cover it. If you have tailored your pitch to our readers, then you will hear back from us.”
Well-researched planning is key for successful pitching and plays a major role in connecting with media influencers. The Holiday Gift Guide briefing book ensures Cision users have a head start on their holiday media planning while editorial staffs have the advantage of receiving customized product pitches.
You can download a free copy of Cision’s 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. In addition to the gift guide briefing book, CisionNavigator highlights a list of the top 20 media outlets by circulation that offer holiday gift guide opportunities. Start planning now for successful product pitching and stay ahead in the game with your 2011 holiday media campaigns.
