Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) will host its signature event, Meet and Pitch the Media Night on Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm at the Four Points by Sheraton, Plainview, NY. The evening will include a networking dinner and interactive discussion among communications professionals and a stellar line-up of leading journalists. Participants will have the opportunity to give 30-second pitches and the chance to receive rapid story placements after the event. PIX11 is the event sponsor.
Panelists include:
Amy Waldman, the news director at PIX11 New York, where she oversees all aspects of PIX11 News. Waldman joined PIX11 in 2007. Prior to her tenure at Tribune, she was previously a supervising producer for “Nancy Grace: Closing Arguments” at Court TV. Before that Waldman was the producer for the “Big Idea with Donny Deutsch” at CNBC. Waldman has also produced for Fox News Channel’s “The Fox Report,” “The Big Story” and “Fox News Live.” Waldman has also served as a producer at WGRZ in Buffalo, NY, and WICU in Erie, PA.
Elisa DiStefano, an entertainment journalist, versatile host and seasoned, award-winning features reporter at News 12 Long Island. With over a decade of experience in live and breaking news, Elisa reports regularly on the red carpet and at celebrity events featuring A-list talent. She covers the Hamptons summer scene extensively with access to exclusive events. Elisa hosts and produces segments featuring everything from food to fashion to personalities as diverse as Julie Andrews to Justin Bieber, Bill Murray to Billy Joel to (a little one on one with) Venus Williams. Elisa has extensive live experience, anchoring daily entertainment news segments and filling in as news anchor.
Joe Dowd, the editor and columnist of Long Island Business News. Joe started his career as a cop reporter in Rochester, and served stints as a city editor, bureau chief and assistant managing editor at several newspapers in upstate New York and Scranton, PA. He has won seven first-place writing and investigative awards during his career, including five involving the coverage of the fire service and the aftermath of 9/11. Joe returned to Long Island six years ago and was the founding editor of the Plainview Patch, where he covered many major Island-wide stories and breaking news. His original musical, “Sons of Brooklyn” was produced by a community theater group in the Catskills to critical acclaim in February, 2008.
Martin Untrojb, the morning drive producer at WCBS News Radio 880. Martin’s daily responsibilities include assigning reporters, selecting the stories that make it to air and overseeing what goes on the air from 5am-10am. Martin started at WCBS in 2001 as an intern, and worked his way up to a desk assistant, copy editor, writer and to his present position as morning producer.
Sharon Van Zwieten, is the interim managing editor at FiOS1 News TV. She oversees the creation of editorial content for Verizon’s three hyper local news networks in New York (Hudson Valley and Long Island) and New Jersey. Prior to joining FiOS, Sharon worked on the National Desk at CBS News as a breaking news first responder. Most of Sharon’s career has been as a senior executive producer with leadership roles at PIX11 News in New York, Univision Deportes in Miami, ESPN Star Sports in Singapore and CNN/US.
Flo Federman will serve as the moderator for the evening’s discussion and is the Long Island Regional Marketing Manager at Marcum LLP, Long Island’s largest accounting firm. Flo has been in professional service marketing for over 15 years, at regional accounting and law firms, responsible for the strategy, content, and execution for external and internal communications, including brand management, social media and website, public relations and advertising, marketing materials, and e-mail/direct mail pieces. Previously Flo was the News Director and Morning Show Co-Host of the “Rick and Flo Show” on B-103 Radio, as well as in the news departments of WALK-FM, WKJY-FM, WMJC-FM, WHFM-FM, News 12 Long Island, and WLIG-TV 55.
The generous spirit of local news reporters will provide public relations professionals with insights about changes in newsrooms; what topics interests reporters; how to be a valuable resource; and how communications practitioners can work most effectively with them.
“This popular annual program attracts many Long Island influencers, and past attendees remark about the valuable experience,” said Kali Chan, president of PRPLI and director of media relations for Adelphi University. “It’s the personal connection with reporters and editors that make the difference in landing a story. It’s more important than ever for public relations professionals to learn how to think like a reporter and mistakes to avoid from well-respected journalists. ”
PRPLI Meet and Pitch the Media Night is $50 discounted price for PRPLI members, $65 for non-members, $40 for member in job transition and $25 for students. More information is available at www.PRPLI.org.
About PRPLI: Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is a professional trade association that provides members with the opportunity to network, learn and advance in their careers. Now in its 27th year, PRPLI is the premier organization for individuals working in public relations, publicity, media relations, marketing, corporate communications, advertising, event planning, government relations and community affairs. PRPLI members include PR practitioners from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, as well as independent communicators.