OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwire - January 20, 2009) - PR and marketing professionals who want to become masters at crafting feature stories that consistently rivet editors' attention will discover practical strategies from features editors themselves at a new audio conference from Bulldog Reporter's PR University: "Placing Feature Stories in Top Daily Newspapers: Editors Advise PR on Golden Hooks and Savvy Pitches." Attendees will come away with practical insights on what story elements, visuals and Internet multimedia fare that feature editors and reporters are looking for -- and how to package them to compel coverage.

This exclusive, dial-in PR University audio conference takes place on Thursday, January 29th, at 1PM EST (noon, CST, 11AM MST; 10AM PST). Its panel includes four veteran features editors from some of the nation's most prolific features desks:

-- Tom Hallman Jr., Features Writer, Oregonian (circ. 304,399); Pulitzer Prize Winner, Feature Writing

-- Michael Klein, Copy Editor; Features Reporter, Philadelphia Inquirer (circ. 556,426)

-- Andrew Ratner, Features Editor, Baltimore Sun (circ. 350,640)

-- Deborah Petersen, Deputy Features Editor, San Jose Mercury News (circ. 241,518)

This 90-minute interactive call will give public relations professionals actionable insights, tips and skills on which kinds of features to pitch, when to pitch, the do's and don'ts and how to pitch more effectively. It will also address why features reporting is thriving online and off -- and how to tap its resurgence to get a brand or idea covered. Here are some of the practical and immediately applicable techniques attendees will cover in this audio conference:

--  Targeting Essentials: How each of these outlets views its audience and
    mission -- and how to use this exclusive insight to pitch features that
    match your target's style
--  New Internet Opportunities: How online features coverage differs from
    print -- and how to use this insider knowledge to boost pickup, pixels and
    play
--  How feature reporting differs from hard news -- and how to break
    through the clutter by ensuring your idea aligns with your target's news
    value
--  Editorial hot buttons -- top ten lists, fun surveys, sexy and quirky
    angles, romance, lifestyle trends, people and issues you should be tying
    feature pitches to now
--  How to localize national stories to boost pickup in your closest metro
    daily's feature sections
--  Great Beginnings: Suggestions for crafting delayed leads that intrigue
    features reporters -- plus how to pen headlines and subject lines that grab
    journalists' attention
    

Attendance at Bulldog Reporter's PR University audio conference costs $299 per telephone site. Participants in the 90-minute call will be able to pose specific questions for the panelists at several junctures during the discussion. Attendees of PR University conferences receive one credit toward PRSA accreditation maintenance. Registration also includes an up-to-the-minute conference manual and a full transcript. For more information on taking part in the event, go to our conference home page or phone toll free: 1-800-959-1059.