AAP Masterclass: Melbourne Health Series 2017

 

Aisha Dow, Health Journalist at The Age 

Aisha Dow has been a journalist at The Age since 2013, initially covering city stories before transitioning into the role of a health reporter in 2017. She has over 8 years’ experience across editorial and reporting roles for papers in South Australia and Victoria, and was named Melbourne Press Club’s Young Journalist of the Year 2013 just a few years into her career.

At our sold out AAP Health Masterclass in Melbourne last October, Aisha spoke about changing rounds, the value of keeping your sources and cultivating relationships with contacts, and about the importance of understanding who you are pitching to. She gave insight on the difference between pitching to a print publication versus an online publication, and the tools required for a more targeted pitch. 

“At The Age I’m writing 500-600 words. I have to fill a lot of space. It can’t just be a one or two fact story. I need to be able to talk for a long period about one issue.”

Questions Aisha answered at the AAP Masterclass

• What is the best time to contact you on the phone regarding a press release?
• What is a story and what isn’t?
• How groovy does a subject line have to be? and do you prefer pitches to have supporting attachments? 

Aisha’s key tip when writing and pitching a press release to journalists:

Don’t give up hope. I think there is always going to be a story within a story.

For more information about the next AAP Masterclass, Press Release Distribution service or our Media Contacts Database email masterclass@aap.com.au or call 1300 616 813.