"Pitch" Story Ideas

My "3" Pitch Ideas:


#1 - The Whitman County Humane Society is sponsoring "Mutt Strutt," a philanthropic walk-athon on Saturday Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pullman's Sunnyside Park. All proceeds raised from the event will be used for the construction of the first dog park in Pullman. According to a press release, "prizes will be awarded to the 3 Mutt Strutters who collect the most (dollar amount) pledges." The Grand prize winner will receive "5 nights at the Red Lion Hotel in Anaheim, CA and roundtrip airfare from Horizon for 2." Other gift card prizes will be given out to the first and second runner ups.


This story is "newsworthy" because it is relevant to Pullman (i.e. it will impact Pullman residents who have pets/ animal lovers and it may effect students who need community service hours, etc.) The piece is also "timely" and "proximate" since it will be happening Sept. 26 in Pullman. The story may also involve some degree of conflict, for instance some nearby residents may not want a dog park by their home. It also can be categorized as a human interest piece since dog/animals lovers may be interested in supporting this walk to donate money for the cause.


Angle: The story would focus on the walk, the benefits people will receive if they decide to participate and the possibility of a new park being (the first dog park ever) constructed in Pullman. Sources will be interviewed on why Pullman is in need of a dog park, how this idea came about and how long it will take to make a park (as well as how much money is needed to construct it).


Sources:

Derek Keno, Director of Shelter Operations


Ambrose Chong, Assistant Shelter Manager


Media Outlet: The "life" or "news" section of a local newspaper such as the Daily Evergreen.

#2 - On Sept. 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. a ceremony for the rededication of Wilson-Short Hall will be held on the Terrell Mall in front of Wilson-Short Building Grand Entrance. The ceremony will honor James F. Short Jr. and celebrate his "teaching, scholarship and service contributions" at WSU.

This story is "newsworthy" since Short was a professor at WSU and the reconstruction of the Wilson-Short hall has impacted many students, faculty members and staff this past year. (Almost everyone who has walked on the mall undoubtedly saw the construction going on last year). It is also "timely" since the ceremony will take place this upcoming Friday. The piece may also be of "human interest" since Short's accomplishments and contributions to WSU can be mentioned in the story.

Angle: The story would mention the fact that a rededication ceremony is taking place to honor Short (most likely in the lead), but the piece would focus on (as previously stated) his accomplishments and contributions to WSU and the field of sociology. (Sources would be asked to share their knowledge on Short and how he has impacted the greater community).

Sources:

Lisa Janowski
Assistant to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
(She also coordinated this event)

Lisa McIntyre
Sociology Professor at WSU(I had her my freshman year for Soc. 101)

Media Outlet: The "life" or "news" section of a local newspaper such as the Daily Evergreen.

#3 - "The Crimson and Gray Sports Project" is returning to KUGR for a second season. The show, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, covers a wide variety of topics such as cougar football, NFL football and baseball. Each week the DJs also reveals their favorite "oddball/whacked out headlines of the week" and give away an autographed dollar bill (according to their facebook site).

This story is "newsworthy" since WSU students, faculty members, alumni and fans may be interested to tune in to hear about WSU football as well as other cougar athletics that are discussed on the show. (WSU students are also in charge of producing/ running the show) Additionally, it is "timely" since the show is in its first few weeks of running.

Angle: The story would focus on why the students decided to start the show, what the show generally covers, how the community can be involved with it (i.e. calling in to voice their opinion about a game), why the decided to do the show a second season, how the came up with the idea for producing it and what they hope to accomplish this season. (The DJs will also be asked what changes, if any, were made to the show and how it will be different from last year).

Sources:

Brian Tesch
DJ on the show
Senior communication major

Jacob Burton
DJ on the show
History major

Media Outlet: The "life" or "news" section of a local newspaper such as the Daily Evergreen.