PR News: Stuck in a loop of ‘just circling back’ emails?

Hey there,

Got a great story but stuck in a loop of ‘just circling back’ emails? Let’s change that.

Send your pitch to pitches@synapse.media and we’ll get it in front of journalists who are actually looking. All the stories that get sent to that inbox, automatically go into our marketplace for journalists to find. 

Now, welcome back to The Loop – your weekly scroll of live journo requests, PR tips and media news that matter.

Here’s what’s hot this week…

🔥 MUST READ

…advice we’ve spotted from the experts

“If your mum can’t understand it, neither can I.”

Sky News producer Martin Kimber shares a frustrating (and avoidable) PR fail and why clear, human language still beats buzzwords every time.

👉 Read the LinkedIn post here

🔎 JOURNO REQUESTS

Here’s what journalists are currently looking for on Synapse:

• Insider Media: Looking for HR and Reward Leaders for Insider Roundtable on Strategic Employee Benefits.
• Metro: Looking to hear from couples who bought a house together about their deposit.
• Express: Looking for exclusive new UK showbiz and celeb stories/interviews/screenings/events.
• LADbible: Looking to speak with a health expert who can comment on the health implications of unregulated, illegal vape use and looking for a mental health expert for a comment on dealing with panic attacks.
• The Sun: Looking for some travel opportunities/news/case studies, whether it be trying a new immersive event or similar and looking for a money expert to talk about Bulgaria joining the Eurozone and the impact this could have on Brits going on holiday.
• Newsquest: Looking to write a piece on the top 10 most stolen cars in the UK in the last year.
• Daily Mirror / Express / Reach titles: Looking for real-life true crime stories.
• The i Paper: Looking to speak to someone who has withdrawn their full pension amount in the last year and has had to pay a large tax on it, looking for someone who either regrets not investing their money so they have more to give away as inheritance, looking to speak to someone who started investing their money specifically so they could leave more of an inheritance.
• The i Paper: Looking to speak to someone who has moved away from the UK for financial reasons and doesn’t regret it, and looking to speak to someone who wouldn’t put their money in stocks and shares over a cash ISA and looking for expert comments/case study of someone in one of the vulnerable groups that have lost out on the winter fuel payment u-turn for.

Or head to the marketplace now to look at requests yourself.

🗞️ PR-Y STUFF

Here’s what we’ve read this week so that you don’t have to:

• The press release no longer a first choice? – PR pros say the press release still has a place, but if you’re aiming for coverage, you’d better start with a strong story, not a standard send-out. read more
• The importance of freelance PR professionals – Freelancers are powering more of the industry than ever, a sharp reminder that they deserve visibility, respect, and a seat at the table. read more
• Man Utd’s Comms Chief steps down – Manchester United’s Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs has resigned after four years, a move that follows intense scrutiny of the club’s handling of major media moments. read more
• When PR doesn’t lead, it gets left behind – Stephen Waddington argues PR needs to stop playing it safe and start owning its place at the table or risk being sidelined entirely. read more
• UK delays AI regulation – As concerns grow over misinformation, bias, and Big Tech dominance, UK ministers are pressing pause on AI regulation, raising fresh questions about timing, safety, and who’s really in charge. read more
• WPP CEO Mark Read to step down – After 30 years with the company, Mark Read is stepping down as WPP CEO. read more

📆 NEXT MONTH’S HOOKS

…just because we don’t want you missing out on stuff.

• 1 July: PMI manufacturing announcement –  start prepping commentary beforehand (30 June), so that you have quotes ready to go when data drops.
• 2 July: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ release date
• 2 July: UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 kicks off.
• 5 July: Tour de France begins – Cycling content picks up with nearly 500k monthly browsers following it, according to Mail Metro Media.
• 6 July: British Grand Prix (Silverstone) – In 2021, an average of 1.59 million UK viewers watched Formula 1 races live on Sky, according to Motorsport Broadcasting.
• 7 July: Second week of Wimbledon begins
• 10 July: The Open Golf Championship begins
• 10 July: Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators are being relesead – including consumer behaviour, business and workforce, energy, housing and transport.
• 11 July: ‘Superman’ release date
• 12 July: Wimbledon Finals Weekend – Prime PR moment for FMCG, luxury, and fashion brands.
• 17 July: World Emoji Day – the 🫠(melting face) was the most used across the web in 2024.
• 18 July: School summer holidays begin (for not all, but most of the UK)
• 22 – 23 July: UEFA Women’s Euro Semi-Finals – The 2022 finals boasted the highest attendance figures for a Women’s EURO, smashing the 240,055 mark set at the 2017 finals.
• 25 July: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ release date
• 27 July: UEFA Women’s Euro Finals
• 31 July: Shell & Unilever Q2 results
  

✨ BEFORE YOU GO

Got something great but short on time?

Send it over to pitches@synapse.media and we’ll get it in our marketplace for you.