We all know that staying on the pulse of what journos are looking for is made so much easier thanks to platforms like ResponseSource and PressPlugs. Having these requests delivered straight to our inbox, and checking easy to follow Twitter hashtags like #journorequest and #PRrequest are endlessly useful ways to find out exactly what journalists want.
Amongst the serious requests for recession commentary and thoughts on Elon Musk’s latest clown car antics, there are a few hidden gems that can really make your day and leave you wondering: “Where on earth is that story going?”. And we've been tracking them all to bring you a little early Christmas treat.
So here it is, a PR round-up like no other: The Secret Joy of Journo Requests, 2022.
1. The one with the conkers connoisseur
The “expert comment” requests are always my favourite. They range from the very normal to the ‘shot in the dark’ type requests, and the Daily Mirror have definitely shot in the dark blindfolded with this one. If there was a “Conkers Game Expert” out there, I have the following questions… At what point in your conker career did you consider yourself an official Conker Game Expert? Is there certification to prove your expertise? Was there a rigorous test? Are you an expert in any other childhood games or did you choose to specialise in conkers? And finally, what even is a Conker Game Expert anyway?
2. The one with the snitch
‘Snitches get stitches’ but The i Paper doesn’t care. They woke up and chose violence and are ready to incite neighbour vs neighbour warfare over a hosepipe ban. Dry flower beds are the least of your concerns, this paper will expose your grass-watering villainy, all in the name of national news, and your neighbours are in on it. Live in fear.
3. The one with the furries
A lot to unpack in this one. First of all, you’d expect this kind of story on Buzzfeed, maybe Ladbible - but the BBC?! Is everything okay over there guys? Also, it’s this poor journalist's first day on the job. I am 90% sure this request is an office hazing ritual and they just haven’t figured it out yet. Perhaps they’re more fun at the Beeb than we thought? Whatever is going on here, good luck to this journo in their new job, it sounds like they might need it…
4. The one with the witches
When an email with the word “witches” in the subject lands in my inbox unironically, colour me intrigued. For £250 and a ‘gorgeous photoshoot’ I might be tempted to hit up the Daily Mail and claim I’m a 4th generation witch. My mum likes to burn sage to calm the dog down when he gets the zoomies - does that count? Jokes aside, I can only imagine what the average Daily Mail reader thought of this one…
5. The one with the cereal
It’s not often these journo requests have me googling weeks later to see if I can find the story, but this was one of them. I had so many questions. Where was this story going? What was the angle? Did they ever find a flip-flopping cereal eater to interview? Had they never eaten cereal before the pandemic? Why did they suddenly stop? Why is The Financial Times writing about cereal? And probably most importantly, did they try Coco-Pops?
6. The one with the fetish
And finally… though not a request from a journo but rather a request TO a journo, this one had to make the list after the amusement it caused on Twitter. Shared by the BBC’s leading tech journalist who was understandably confused as to what the tech angle could possibly be here? But hey, journalists do always ask for photos so at least this emailer thought ahead.
If you enjoyed that, you can find last year’s round-up here.
