RuntheDamnBall Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Calling on some fellow fans to see if you have any tips on the best way to reach a player for media purposes. Context: I am working on what I'm hoping will be a smarter sports podcast program (sort of public-radio style with interviews and features) and I'm hoping to reach George Wilson to discuss free agency - not in the traditional sense of "what happened in the NFL this season," but in terms of what it's like for a player to go out on the open market and sell oneself in this environment. I'm also getting a player agent for the talk, so I'm hoping for a good 5-10 minute 3-way conversation. I know I can go through the Bills' media offices, Berchtold's office, etc, but does anyone have any shorter cuts for access (beyond Twitter, which is just a bit too informal for this, I think)? You may PM me if you prefer. Thanks!
RuntheDamnBall Posted March 27, 2012 Author Posted March 27, 2012 This should have had a question mark in the topic title!
The Big Cat Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Having both a.) contacted players for a podcast and b.) contacted professional athletes for an actual public radio segment, here's my advice: Don't go through the Bills' media services. Unless you're on a two month deadline, and/or you've got the goods to prove that your production is legitimate, getting through those gatekeepers will be an absolute nightmare. If you have personal relationships that could expedite the process, leverage them best you can. Try and do some Twitter outreach, players tend to be pretty responsive that way. Either way, the key lure in your tackle box will be the legitimacy of your program and online presence (this includes Twitter). Without those things, it'll be an uphill battle. I do know that G Wilson is both very responsive to 'community needs' AND is active on Twitter. This might be your best bet. Unless you have a personal connection to his agent, though, I would contact George first and get him on board. Otherwise, you'll likely have to sell against his money man, and that's a bidding process you're bound to lose. Best of luck, and should something come to fruition, please post, or at the very least shoot me the link in a PM!
WickedGame Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Please take this advice as well-intentioned, as I don't mean to discourage you. Is your podcast brand new? Has it launched yet? How many episodes have you done? Who listens to it? Thanks to easy self-publishing tools, anyone can call himself a member of the media today. Setting up a blog, podcast, YouTube channel or Twitter account is easier than ever. So if we're all media, should we all get a media badge? As one of the other commenters said, you'll need to prove your chops first. Produce a high-quality program, build an audience, and make connections. It takes a combination of those things to attract top guests. Start small and work your way up if you can't land the big fish. Consider interviewing other bloggers, fan club presidents, local reporters, etc. Offer something of value to them in return...help promote their shows, columns, blogs or organizations. By all means, if you want a player interview, go after it! Just have realistic expectations and work on building a solid foundation in the meantime. (P.S. I've been in media and PR for about 10 years, FWIW).
RuntheDamnBall Posted March 27, 2012 Author Posted March 27, 2012 Thanks, all. I engineer for one of the flagship public radio stations in the country and for a PRI show, and also teach at a university where I am helping to establish an online radio project. This is definitely not a fly by night thing and it's on spec with a possible pickup for podcast with this station, which syndicates many of its shows nationwide. I also have covered the draft in the past for a print publication, so I might use a scout connection with someone I interviewed a ways back. I do appreciate the heads up about the bills' media channels, which is exactly what I figured. Btw I am certainly interested in contributors for this thing if any of you have interest (this pilot includes a feature on a day spent with the citi field grounds crew and an interview with dirk Hayhurst, former MLB pitcher and author of two books).
San Jose Bills Fan Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Beyond conventional channels you could do a Google search and try to find out who his agent is and contact his agent. He was just extended about 12 months ago. Also, Wilson is the Bills Union Rep. You could try contacting the NFLPA and getting to him that way.
KRC Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Short of personal relationships, going the official route is the best way. The best ways are what have been mentioned: -Bills PR department -Player's agent You can try the NFLPA, but I doubt you will get anywhere. Deal with the team or the player's agent. You can try to get to the player directly, but you would probably get shot down pretty fast. Official requests through the team or agent carry more weight. If this is going to be a long-term project, I suggest starting to cultivate relationships now. It may not bear fruit immediately, but it pay off down the road. Have established contacts with teams, agents, players, NFLPA, NFL Alumni, NFL Offices, HOF, various media outlets, etc. Having good contacts has helped me land interviews with people who usually refuse interviews. Best of luck with the project!!
boyst Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Do you work for Howard Stern and will it be used for a phoney phone call?
DC Tom Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Short of personal relationships, going the official route is the best way. The best ways are what have been mentioned: -Bills PR department -Player's agent You can try the NFLPA, but I doubt you will get anywhere. Deal with the team or the player's agent. You can try to get to the player directly, but you would probably get shot down pretty fast. Official requests through the team or agent carry more weight. If this is going to be a long-term project, I suggest starting to cultivate relationships now. It may not bear fruit immediately, but it pay off down the road. Have established contacts with teams, agents, players, NFLPA, NFL Alumni, NFL Offices, HOF, various media outlets, etc. Having good contacts has helped me land interviews with people who usually refuse interviews. Best of luck with the project!! Yeah, but what do you know?
erynthered Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Yeah, but what do you know? He knows a good contractor when he see's one.
Just Jack Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Kidnapping? Just got to remember to make one demand that is so crazy they'll cave on the others. For instance, in this case, my demands for the release wold be the interview, one million dollars, and the complete destruction of Rhode Island, cause who the hell would actually give you one million dollars.
boyst Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Just got to remember to make one demand that is so crazy they'll cave on the others. For instance, in this case, my demands for the release wold be the interview, one million dollars, and the complete destruction of Rhode Island, cause who the hell would actually give you one million dollars. Should we look in your closet for dumpster girl?
Captain Hindsight Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Just got to remember to make one demand that is so crazy they'll cave on the others. For instance, in this case, my demands for the release wold be the interview, one million dollars, and the complete destruction of Rhode Island, cause who the hell would actually give you one million dollars.
Just Jack Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Should we look in your closet for dumpster girl? Nah, I saw something the other day that completely turns me off her. You know where to go to find out the details.
boyst Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Nah, I saw something the other day that completely turns me off her. You know where to go to find out the details. What city and state are you in again? Wait, are restraining orders even public?
RuntheDamnBall Posted March 30, 2012 Author Posted March 30, 2012 Hey all, just wanted to update that I've secured a very good get for the agent part of this, and am following some leads on a player. Thanks again for the assistance and wisdom.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Hey all, just wanted to update that I've secured a very good get for the agent part of this, and am following some leads on a player. Thanks again for the assistance and wisdom.
Jauronimo Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 The best way to contact a player is to burn or spray paint the message into their lawn. It shows initiative.
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