We’ve started sending fresh journalist requests straight to WhatsApp, so there’s less chance of spotting the perfect opportunity after the deadline has passed.
If you haven’t joined the feed yet, now’s a good time. Just whatsapp SUBSCRIBE REQUESTS to 07466 536564, and we’ll send the next batch straight to your phone.
Now, onto The Loop -live journo requests, PR tips, and the news worth knowing this week.
P.S Keep scrolling for a downloadable PR Calendar!
🔥 MUST READ
…because we want you to hear it from the experts themselves
PR strategist and co-founder of Notably, Carly Martinetti shared a stat that stopped us scrolling:
“Only 2% of the journalists pitched by PR teams actually overlap with the journalists AI is citing.”
Her advice is not to assume your usual media list is building AI visibility. AI rewards consistent coverage across trusted and niche publications, with recent mentions carrying the most weight. If AI search is becoming part of your PR strategy, it might be time to build a second media list – one for journalists, and one for AI.
👉 Read Carly’s full LinkedIn post here
🗞️ PR-Y STUFF
Here’s what we think you should see this week:
- Fake AI experts are becoming a bigger problem – Qwoted says it’s removing hundreds of fake experts and AI-generated pitches from its platform after uncovering fabricated profiles and mass-produced commentary being sent to journalists. The platform describes it as a constant “whack-a-mole” battle as AI-generated PR content continues to rise. read more
- ‘I blacklisted a rude journalist – am I the PR a**hole? – PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast tackles some of the industry’s biggest ethical dilemmas, including whether it’s ever okay to blacklist a journalist, tricky agency-client situations, and workplace confessions. An entertaining listen with plenty of debate for anyone working in PR. listen to the episode
- Google is giving publishers more visibility in AI Overviews – Google has started placingTop Stories links directly inside many AI-generated search summaries, giving publishers more prominent placement on news searches. While it could drive more clicks, publishers who opt out of AI Overviews may also miss out on this extra visibility. read more
- The guide to Silly Season pitching – Journalist Rosie Taylor has published a practical guide on what works (and what doesn’t) during Silly Season. She advises leaning into quirky, human-interest stories, not being afraid to retry pitches that didn’t land earlier in the year, and expecting holiday coverage to change who you’re pitching to. read more
- Fake PRs are pitching journalists – An investigation by Futurism found a PR agency using AI-generated publicists, fake agencies and fabricated headshots to pitch journalists on behalf of real clients. Several clients said they were unaware of the practice, while the agency admitted it had used the fake personas as a temporary workaround for email deliverability issues. It’s another reminder that trust and transparency are becoming the biggest differentiators in media relations. read more
🔎 JOURNO REQUESTS
Here’s what journalists are currently looking for on Synapse:
The Guardian:
The StyleTitle:
Newsweek:
- Looking for comments from an oncologist #journorequest T.I.A
- Looking to speak to a neuro-oncologist or neurosurgeon about glioblastoma! – Newsweek
Freelance:
- INTERIOR DESIGNERS: What countertop color went out of style this year, and what should people use instead? – Freelance
- Wish to speak to a cancer/health expert on the contagious flesh-eating cancer discovered spreading through catfish. – Daily Express
- Looking to call in the best pet trackers on the market for a tried and tested review for The English Home website! – The English Home
- ICAEW accountants who would like to comment on the UK’s Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences? – Freelance
- Working on a piece on the potential nationalisation of water in the UK. Please get in touch if you can provide comment! – Country Living
- A compliance / AI / data safety expert having to develop interesting guidelines about Smart Glasses in your workplace needed! – Financial Times
- Looking for an expert who can talk about wellness tech and the rise of holistic wellness for a piece I’m writing! – Freelance
- Looking for consumers and small businesses to discuss building trust – BBC Radio 4
- How can employers review the investment performance of their workplace defined contribution #pension schemes? – Freelance
- Looking for an employment lawyer to explain hiring an au pair (including pay, job description, sick pay, pensions etc)! – Freelance
- Looking for expert comments on the best LARGE air fryers for the Evening Standard. – The Evening Standard
- Looking for comments on how to make ‘Schengen Shuffle’ work plus advice around the legal and tax pitfalls. – Freelance
- Any small biz using AI to model geopolitical scenarios rather than rely on static contingency plans? – Freelance
- Looking for nutritionists and kitchen tech trend experts for a story on ‘supplement fridges’ ! – Livingetc
Reach plc:
- Looking to attend GamesCom 2026 and want to connect with publishers or studios who are looking for UK media coverage. – Express Online, Mirror Online and All Out Gaming
- Foxes in gardens – All Reach plc titles
- What taxes could Andy Burnham increase? – All Reach plc titles
- Experts or practicing solicitors specializing in payment services regulation, financial exclusion and card network compliance – DailyMirror
Mail on Sunday:
Futurenet:
Or head to the marketplace now to look at the full list of requests yourself.
📆 NEXT MONTH’S HOOKS
…because we don’t want you missing out on stuff in September.
🏛️ 3 Sep: Reform UK Conference – Reform UK holds its annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham.
💻 4 Sep: IFA Berlin 2026 – The world’s largest consumer electronics and home tech event, will take place at the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds in Germany.
🍁 7 Sep: Labor Day (US) / Labour Day (CA)
🏈 9 Sep: NFL Regular Season Kickoff – The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle.
👗 9 Sep: New York Fashion Week
📈 11 Sep: GDP monthly estimate, UK: July 2026
🎬 11 Sep: “Practical Magic 2” movie release date – The highly anticipated sequel reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the iconic Owens sisters.
🛣️ 13 Sep: Road Dahl Day (UK)
💻 15 Sep: Dreamforce 2026 – Exploring the future of technology. 1,600+ sessions and expert-led training taking place in San Francisco, CA.
📊 15 Sep: UK Labour Market: September 2026
📊 16 Sep: Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2026
🎬 16 Sep: “Slow Horses” Season 6 premieres – The six-episode season will kick off with its first episode, followed by weekly releases every Wednesday until the finale on October 21, 2026.
🏦 17 Sep: Bank of England MPC Summary
👠 17 Sep: London Fashion Week begins
🎬 18 Sep: “Resident Evil” (Sony) – Based on the Japanese video game franchise by Capcom.
🎬 18 Sep: “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” – A stop-motion animated family comedy from Aardman Studios.
🌼 19 Sep: Liberal Democrat Conference – The Liberal Democrats gather in Brighton for their annual conference.
👜 22 Sep: Milan Fashion Week
🍂 23 Sep: Autumn Equinox – The equinox occurs at approximately 1:06am BST.
🎬 25 Sep: “Sense and Sensibility” (Universal) – Adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, directed by Georgia Oakley, officially releases in UK cinemas.
🌹 27 Sep: Labour Party Conference – Labour’s annual conference takes place in Liverpool.
🗼 28 Sep: Paris Fashion Week
📈 30 Sep: GDP quarterly national accounts, UK: Apr-Jun 2026
📆 PR CALENDAR 2026
…because we want you to stay on top of the game every time
Running out of pitch ideas? Say no more.
Our free PR Dates Calendar is packed with the biggest dates from August to December 2026, giving you five months of reasons to pitch. Download it and start planning before everyone else catches on.
