Hey there,
School’s out, but journalists (and lots of you!) aren’t on holiday. So we’re here to help.
It’s silly season so if you’ve got a standout case study, data insight or fresh angle that can run all summer, share it with us. Pop your pitch into the Synapse marketplace or simply send it to us – pitches@synapse.media, and we’ll put it in front of the right journalists.
In the meantime, welcome back to The Loop – your weekly scroll of live journo requests, savvy PR tips, plus our view on the other Synapse tool that’s hitting the front pages at the moment. (ICYMI keep reading for the background. And, just to be clear, we’re not them and we’re not affiliated in any way).
So here’s what’s trending this week…
🔥 MUST READ
…advice we’ve spotted from the experts
“Some of the best coverage I’ve secured has come weeks (or even months) after the initial pitch.”
Shakira Sacks reminds us that consistency, persistence and timing beat one-off wins – build your narrative and let it mature.
🗞️ PR-Y STUFF
Here’s what we’ve read this week so that you don’t have to:
- AI tool that automates ‘expert’ comments on sale – A PR firm is now selling an AI tool called Synapse (not to be confused with us, the OG Synapse) that creates fictional AI-generated experts to respond to journalist requests…unfortunately, you did read that correctly. You can read the original Press Gazette article here, and our CEO and founder’s take here.
- Staying credible amid fake news – In an age of relentless misinformation, PR pros must double down on verification, transparent communication and proactive myth-busting to protect brand trust. read more
- PR firms are missing out on openness – PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast argues that agencies that aren’t embracing openness and clear metrics are leaving trust and clients on the table. listen to the episode
- Don’t let AI steal your narrative – AI can whip up summaries in seconds, but only PR can craft the deeper story that sticks, a double down on original insight and human context. read more
- Omnicom’s PR arm sees 9.3% Q2 revenue drop – Omnicom-owned PR agencies reported a 9.3% decline in Q2 amidst economic instability, a proof that even global networks need agile strategies to weather tough markets. read more
- Editor’s View: Transparency isn’t optional in PR – After we’ve shared the news about how transparent UK agencies are last week, PRWeek’s taking a closer look into parental leave and pay‐gap data. read more
🔎 JOURNO REQUESTS
Here’s what journalists are currently looking for on Synapse:
Insider Media:
- Looking for all dealmaking-related announcements from B2B press teams in the West Midlands area – legal, accountancy, and corporate finance advisers
- Seeking dealmaking news from Dorset-based professional services – legal, accountancy, and corporate finance firms.
MailOnline:
Stylist:
- Looking for someone for a Stylist feature on the mistake of lending a friend or family member money.
The i Paper:
- Keen to speak to people who have 5+ year mortgage fixes ending in the next year and are worried about the higher costs.
- Looking to speak to financial advisers who have seen an increase in the number of inquiries about the pension commencement.
- Looking for someone who is less likely to use a cash ISA if Reeves cut the annual allowance.
- Looking to speak to people who aren’t saving for retirement because they are gonna get an inheritance from their family.
- Looking to speak to self-employed people/youngsters/a woman or someone who is worried about not having enough for retirement
Freelance:
Metro:
- Looking for What I own/rent property column – case studies
- Looking to chat to couples of all ages about how they split their money.
Triangle News:
- Looking to speak to young people who have very successful businesses, talking about how they managed it.
- Looking for parents who pay their own parents a salary to look after their pre-schoolers because it’s cheaper than sending them to nursery.
Daily Mirror / Express / Reach titles:
Or head to the marketplace now to look at requests yourself.
📆 NEXT MONTH’S HOOKS
…just because we don’t want you missing out on stuff.
- 1 August: Edinburgh Fringe Festival begins
- 1 August: ‘The Bad Guys 2’ movie release date for the UK
- 7 August: Bank of England MPC Base Rate decision – It will be reviewed to determine interest rates set by lenders and savings providers
- 8 August: ‘The Naked Gun’ release date – A reboot starring Liam Neeson, directed by Akiva Schaffer
- 9 August: Edinburgh International Book Festival begins – featuring everyone from the rising stars of fiction to Nobel Prize-winners
- 14 August: University Clearing search peak – Searches for ‘Clearing’ spike here. Smart PR timing for universities, fintechs, student accommodation and retail brands aimed at young adults
- 14 August: UK economic announcements – Balance of Trade, Gross Domestic Product, Index of Services and Industrial Production announced.
- 15 August: ‘Materialists’ movie release date for the UK – starring Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans
- 21 August: GCSE Results Day – MailOnline’s social platforms reach 2 in 5 school leavers. BBC’s informed that students will receive their results via the Education Record app this year
- 21 August: Reading & Leeds Festival begins
- 22 August: Women’s Rugby World Cup starts – London, Bristol, Sunderland, Brighton, Northampton, Exeter, Manchester and York are the host cities
- 24 August: Notting Hill Carnival
- 27 August: ‘School shoes’ searches peak – According to MailMetro Media, 46% of parents use payment schemes for back-to-school items
✨ BEFORE YOU GO
Got something great but no time?
Send it over to pitches@synapse.media and we’ll get it in our marketplace for you.
