Pitching industry stories to SMH and The Age with Calum Jaspan | Ep 105
Release Date: 03/23/2025
DIY PR pitching to US media with Brett Farmiloe, CEO of HARO | Ep 115
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, the podcast that helps founders and change-makers tell their story, build credibility without needing a big PR budget, we’re chatting with Brett Farmiloe, the Founder and CEO of Featured, and the owner of the iconic Help a Reporter Out — HARO. Brett is literally in the thick of the AI world right now. What I love about Brett is that he sits at this fascinating intersection between expert sourcing, media opportunities, and the evolving world of AI visibility. He’s seen every mistake people make when pitching themselves. He knows what...
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How to pitch to Sunrise with Laura Francis | Ep 114
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR! with Odette Barry, we take you inside one of the most dynamic, fast-paced environments in Australian media — breakfast television. Odette is joined by Laura Francis, the Managing Editor of Sunrise, where she oversees the editorial direction, content strategy, and daily rhythm of the country’s highest-rating morning show. She’s the one shaping the stories you sip your coffee to every morning — from breaking news and political hot topics, to consumer segments and yes, the occasional tap-dancing dachshund. If you’ve ever wondered what it...
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Pitching 6pm Nine News features with Meredith Marks | Ep 113
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what actually works in modern PR and media, host Odette Barry, publicist, and the founder of Odette & Co chats with someone who sits at the coalface of mainstream television journalism, Meredith Marks, Features & Investigations Producer at Nine News in Sydney. Meredith has spent over 20 years in news from the trenches of 4am radio starts and election campaign media rooms, to the high-pressure deadlines of 6pm news bulletins. These days, she’s the powerhouse behind many of the feature stories you...
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Lucy Asker on Cultivating Influence at MECCA | Ep 112
Hack Your Own PR
Today’s Hack Your Own PR guest is someone who has built one of the most enviable PR careers in Australian beauty! Joining us is Lucy Asker, Head of PR & Influencer at MECCA Brands, an enviable role she’s earned through more than a decade of strategic, creative, and deeply connected work in the world of communications. From her early days cutting her teeth at Two Birds Talking and AMPR, through to her time in London leading beauty accounts and business development at b. the communications agency, Lucy’s career has spanned continents and some of the world’s biggest beauty brands....
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How to Pitch to Ready or Not with Lucinda McKimm
Hack Your Own PR
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How to pitch to Today Extra with Cosi Toni | Ep 110
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Cosi Toni, Executive Producer of Channel Nine’s Today Extra and all-around legend of live television. With nearly a decade of experience across producing, segment wrangling and live control room chaos, Cosi brings an infectious energy and razor-sharp editorial instinct to one of Australia’s longest-running lifestyle programs. We talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of a two-and-a-half-hour daily live show, how she maps out a week of segments across celebrity, consumer, health, real-life stories and news — and what makes a pitch...
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How to pitch to SBS Food with Sudeshna Ghosh | Ep 109
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Sudeshna Ghosh, cross-platform content wizard and current Managing Editor at SBS Food. With a career spanning TV, print, magazines and digital across India, Dubai and Australia, Sudeshna brings a global sensibility to local storytelling — and a deep appreciation for the way food connects us across cultures. At SBS Food, Sudeshna leads the online and social ecosystem, where recipes, editorial, and digital content come together to celebrate Australia’s rich multicultural identity. From commissioning features and developing social video, to championing...
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How to pitch to Two Doting Dads with Jessica Smalley | Ep 108
Hack Your Own PR
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How to pitch to 9Honey with Jo Abi | Ep 107
Hack Your Own PR
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How to DIY PR headlines with AFR, The Australian, ABC and Mamamia with Melissa Reader | Ep 106
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, we’re joined by Melissa Reader, CEO of Violet, whose journey from profound personal loss to leading social change is nothing short of inspiring. Through Violet, Melissa is helping us all navigate life’s final chapters with grace, humanity, and proactive planning. Over the past year, Melissa’s voice has been everywhere, from AFR, The Australian and ABC to SmartCompany, Mamamia, and Women’s Agenda. Her work is not just about practical end-of-life planning but about igniting broader social conversations on ageing, living well, and preparing...
info_outlineIn this episode of Hack Your Own PR, host Odette Barry sits down with Calum Jaspan, media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, to explore the evolving media landscape, journalism's challenges, and the art of pitching stories that stand out.
Calum shares his career journey from Mumbrella to his current role, offering insights into the Australian media industry and what it takes to navigate a dynamic newsroom. He reflects on his experiences covering everything from the ABC and News Corp to emerging trends in podcasting and the influence of public broadcasters like the BBC.
Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on how to approach journalists, craft thoughtful pitches, and understand the nuances of media and marketing storytelling. Whether you're an industry expert looking to build media relationships or a PR professional wanting to refine your pitching approach, Calum's perspective is a masterclass in thoughtful engagement with the press.
In this episode, Calum shares:
- His media career journey: From London to Melbourne, Calum discusses his transition into journalism, the impact of working at Mumbrella, and his move to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
- Evolving role of a media writer: How the shift away from the traditional Monday media section has changed his workflow and the broader approach to storytelling at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Effective pitching tips: Why personalised, thoughtful pitches work best and the importance of avoiding generic or mass-sent emails.
Key Lessons:
- Be direct and personal: Calum appreciates when PRs reach out with personalised, relevant insights rather than blanket pitches.
- Understand the audience: Tailoring your pitch to fit The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s style and readership is crucial to gaining traction.
- Embrace genuine conversations: Whether over the phone or through email, building authentic relationships with journalists can lead to more meaningful coverage.
Calum Jaspan suggests avoiding:
- Generic pitches: Avoid sending mass emails without personalisation or understanding the journalist's beat.
- Jargon and over-complication: Keep your language clear and accessible, ensuring your message resonates with a broad audience.
- Last-minute requests: Respect a journalist’s time by providing well-prepared and relevant information upfront.
With his down-to-earth approach and insider insights, Calum offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to navigate media relations with authenticity and strategy.
Find Odette Barry online:
https://www.odetteandco.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/odetteandco/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/odette-barry/
Find Calum Jaspan online: