Senator Chuck Schumer is famous for his Sunday press conferences. Every Sunday, the senator is in some part of New York state talking about an important issue and how he and his office are trying to address it. The result is usually a lot of media attention, and the press coverage shows up on Sunday evening newscasts and spills into Monday morning newspapers.
Why does Sunday work for Senator Schumer? It’s a day of the week that typically features less breaking news, and media outlets need something to put on their newscasts every day.
Summertime can be a season to take it easy, but reporters still must find enough news for their broadcasts, blogs and newspapers every day. Cable news outlets look for analysts and guests to fill space while other main pundits are on vacation. And with many people taking vacations, reporters may just have enough time to breathe a bit and investigate some of the issues they can’t get to when times get busy.
Summer is also a time to start thinking about the end of the year. Magazines often work three to six months ahead, and in the finance and M&A space “thematic” stories are started in the summer. Major news outlets with long-lead times will start gathering information for end of the year shows and retrospectives.
With journalists starting to make their way back to their newsrooms, summer can also be a time to schedule mini media tours to New York City to meet with a few reporters, build relationships, and share perspectives on market dynamics.
Summer can also be for fun. Maybe there’s an interesting angle you have on spending habits for Fourth of July barbecues or investment ideas uncovered at family reunions.
Look for times that may give you and your organization the maximum media attention. You may find them in the lazy days of summer.
