Rising Above The Fray: What We've Learned From LA-Based Reporters

Earlier this year, we invited 3 of the top LA-based journalists -- USA Today's Jefferson Graham, Fast Company writer and freelancer Neal Ungerleider Investor's Business Daily's Brian Deagon -- to join us for a candid discussion around a variety of topics ranging from their top pitch tips and their typical work day to the promotional push into social and video. 

Jefferson Graham, Tech Columnist, USA Today

Neal Ungerleider, Freelance Writer

Brian Deagon, Tech Reporter, Investor’s Business Daily

Below, we've compiled a few of the advice highlights from our hour-long conversation at WeWork Playa Vista below to help us all improve our relations with members of the press. 

Jefferson describing his "typical" work day (he starts his day at 5am with no alarm clock!), how he balances writing stories, responding to story ideas and shooting and editing video, and how he manages working for a media outlet that's based on the east coast. 

​Brian and Jefferson discuss how many emails they get every day and what makes a great pitch stand out (hint: subject lines and personalized emails).

​Neal explains why desk side briefings just don't work anymore and why companies do a disservice to reporters by asking for them.

Stay tuned for more highlights from our Above The Fray event in future posts! In the meantime, are there any topics you'd like to get journalists' perspective on? Let us know as we start pulling together our 2017 events calendar.