In the hot seat:
Francisca Kellett: Travel Writer and Editor (The Times Luxx Columnist)
Francisca’s Focus:
- Fran writes a regular column in The Times Luxx, a column focusing on conservation, sustainability and philanthropy
- Also writes for FT, Telegraph, House and Garden, Luxury Magazine
- Fran is always looking for profiles, particularly women
- She is trying to fly a lot less to reduce carbon footprint and will no longer be doing long haul short trips
- Monday isn’t a good day to get in touch, catch journalists via email on their commute
- Prefers email as opposed to phone calls and don’t cold call
Top Tips:
- She wants a quick pitch and not a press release, a press release suggests everyone has it and she wants exclusives and NEW news that hasn’t been written about before
- Exclusives need to be kept exclusive and appear nowhere else
- Within the pitch include a web-link and link to images
- A strong subject line lures Fran to read the email so make it catchy and relevant
- Do not email about a hotel that’s in a destination that’s just been featured, it couldn’t be less relevant for Fran
- Trends for 2020: Sustainability has become very mainstream so Fran thinks there will be a lot of stories about food waste and employment rights will be bigger.
- Huge focus on UK travel and experiences whilst travelling
- Self-catering trend will continue to grow
- Trying to encourage people to travel and “do good”
- Fran will go on smaller group press trips, likes to know who is going in advance
- Best place to meet is Green Park for a coffee
- Wouldn’t go for long lunches or dinners as doesn’t fit in with schedule
- Do your research before pitching, read the magazine and know where your pitch would fit
- Low res Images sell to editors and help massively
- Easier for things to be commissioned if you go via a freelancer writing for the publication
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