Smart in Public The PR/Journalist Relationship Rehab Episode w/ Meredith Klein, Meredith & The Media
Nov 26, 2025
Meredith Klein is a seasoned communications strategist with 20 years in PR, having worked with Jet.com, Walmart, and Pinterest. In this engaging discussion, she sheds light on the disconnect between PR professionals and journalists, emphasizing the need for concise pitches that truly resonate with media. Meredith urges PR pros to embrace personal branding as a survival tactic and reveals effective strategies for building genuine journalist relationships. She also critiques the reliance on AI for pitches and encourages a more authentic, niche-focused approach to media outreach.
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Episode notes
Substack Built From A Rolodex
- Meredith Klein launched Meredith in the Media in May and used her 20-year Rolodex to book journalist interviews.
- Within six months she grew to ~3,000 subscribers and 60,000 monthly views.
Pitch Substack Writers Like Journalists
- Treat Substack and independent newsletters like legacy outlets: research format, cadence and respect embargoes.
- Meredith Klein warns these writers retain influence and expect professional handling.
Leverage LinkedIn To Build Name Familiarity
- Use LinkedIn daily to follow, read and engage reporters' work before pitching.
- Meredith Klein says sincere engagement makes reporters more likely to respond when you pitch.