Whether you’re from a non-profit planning a fund-raising event or you’re just looking for some publicity… it’d be nice to have some television coverage without having to spend big cash on hiring a public relations firm to help you get the word out. Here are some basic tips on how to pitch a story to our news department.

The key to a successful story pitch is an interesting, informative press release. Think about the following questions…
What is your event or project? Include the details – date, location, time, etc.
How or why is it special? Explain why it should be of interest to our viewers.
Who will be available for interviews? Include their name and titles or relevance to the project.
What kind of video can we shoot? Since television is a visual medium, we need different scenes of video. Make it interesting. Someone speaking at a podium is not good video. Offer interactive activities at the event — anything that shows action. Or you can offer video of the programs the non-profit offers. 

Remember that the news department receives hundreds of press releases so they’re looking for stories that are informative and exciting. Make sure yours stands out above the rest.

Submitted by Sofia Salgado, Public Relations & Marketing Specialist.

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I used to live in Mission Valley… now I live in Mission Valley.

Soon after moving to San Diego to join the 10News team, I came upon an unfortunate realization. I am what locals refer to as a “transplant.” At first, I felt a sense of dread. The word conjures a harsh sense of not belonging. Much later, I began to think of the word’s positive connotations. The word “transplant,” as in organ transplant, is one which gives hope, a second chance, and an improved quality of life. The meaning and interpretation of words are at the heart of what I deal with ever day at 10News. Just as when I grew up in El Paso, Texas in an area of town known as the “Lower Valley.” Talk about negative connotations. Some very smart people, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting, decided a name change would spruce up my native enclave’s image. They were inspired by our most treasured feature: our missions. Hence, I lived in Mission Valley, and now I call Mission Valley my home. I used to live in a border town. Now, I live not too far from one. And I used to work at an ABC affiliate. Now I work at another. Having moved to a place that shares so many similarities has made me feel less like a stranger in America’s Finest City, and more like a kindred spirit. One who can finally drive to a beach in less than 10 minutes.

Submitted by David Gonzalez, Senior Promotions Producer.

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All of my life I have loved history. It was one of my favorite subjects in school. My love of history I guess stems from listening to the stories from my parents and my grandma. As a child I looked forward to the days when my grandmother would tell me how things were when she grew up in 1920’s. I learned first hand about how hard life was during the depression. My grandmother would tell me how people would line up for the soup kitchens, and how difficult it was for so many people to find work. I think it is important for families to pass stories on the next generation. It’s a good reminder of where you come from.

With my own children, I have tried to carry on that tradition. Most of the time, they don’t want to hear my stories, but I know many years from now they will appreciate it. I think Black History month is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about the contributions of great Americans, who happen to of be of African descent.

San Diego is rich in African American history. Did you know when the Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo landed here in 1542 he had black slaves with him? In 1804 John Brown, a slave aboard the O’Cain, jumped ship to freedom.  

When San Diego became a part of the newly independent Mexico in 1821, blacks could be found in all levels of the society.  In fact, the last governor of California under Mexican rule (Pio Pico) was of African descent.  African Americans like Allen Light and Richard Freeman settled in Old Town San Diego in the 1840’s. They established the San Diego House, a saloon/restaurant.

African Americans started their migration to downtown’s Horton Addition in the 1870s.  During the 1880’s, African Americans helped settle towns in San Diego County like Julian, Campo and the Palomar Mountain. In 1887 in fact, Albert and Margaret Robinson established the Hotel Robinson (now the Julian Hotel). 

If you are interested in learning more about San Diego’s Black history I would encourage you to visit the website of the Black Historical Society of San Diego. It is filled with wonderful historical facts about San Diego’s history.

Submitted by Lisa Lake, 10News Anchor.

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If you’re a woman and you work in an office you’ve probably had your fair share of conversations about your failed diet attempts and how you haven’t been to the gym for three weeks.  The thinnest I’ve ever been was ironically when I worked as a bartender and was walking what seemed like ten miles a day back and forth around the restaurant.  I’d eat without paying too much attention to the calories and it didn’t seem to matter. 

Well, you don’t burn too many calories sitting in a cubicle typing on a computer all day (as I’m doing now). Planning is essential to my weight maintenance plan, especially when activity isn’t a natural part of my day.  Scheduling my workouts as part of my weekly routine has helped tremendously.  I know what my day looks like and can prepare my gym clothes and meals ahead of time.  I also work out with a buddy once a week.  It’s easier to stick to something when you have someone depending on you.  It also makes the time go by much faster and it’s actually fun!  I also fit in two classes a week at my gym.  For some reason, having an instructor yell at you for an hour is much more motivating than watching CNN on an elliptical.

Snacking throughout the day is another pothole in any healthy lifestyle.  Planning, again, is one of the most important elements.  If I don’t have healthy snacks on hand, I’m more likely to grab for my neighbor’s chocolate stash or the vending machine cookies.  If you were to look in my designated “snack drawer”, you would see 100 calorie packs of raw almonds, green tea, chicken noodle and tomato soup and protein bars.  I always try to bring two pieces of fruit to work per day as well.  I also allow myself a few pieces from that chocolate jar a few times a week. 

And when all else fails my motto is “Think of all those women who passed up the dessert tray on the titanic!”

 Submitted by Autumn Doerman, Promotions Specialist

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Valentine’s Day is around the corner. All the stores remind us of that when we walk in and see huge splashes of red and pink and almost everything’s shaped like a heart. It seems like it’s all centered around what women want. But what do men want? We asked a few guys around the station and here’s what they had to say…

Dinner and an overnight stay at a nice hotel.
Quiet. Five minutes of quiet time. My dream is a nap.
Anything that involves food. And the one I love, of course.
A steak dinner, a massage and to get lucky.
Sleep, dinner and a movie.
A weekend getaway not planned during Valentine’s Day. I don’t like big crowds.
Home-cooked meal and then I’d like to get lucky.
A Valentine.

Do you think Valentine’s Day is a waste of time, money and effort? We still have a great idea for you. Watch Azteca America February 11-15 from 8 to 10pm and you can win your very own DVD of Death Sentence starring Kevin Bacon. Get more info here.

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