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Entertainment Journalists - USA

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Discover and contact the top Entertainment journalists in USA, updated for 2025. If you're interested in contacting Entertainment journalists, you can sign up below and download the Entertainment journalists contact list!

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Top Entertainment Journalists in USA (2025)

The Top Entertainment Journalists in USA in 2025 are:

Entertainment journalist at USA Today, USA
USA
Entertainment
Movies
Books

As USA Today's lead film critic and entertainment writer, Brian Truitt has shaped the conversation around modern pop culture through his incisive analysis of:

  • Blockbuster filmmaking: Specializing in superhero narratives and franchise revivals
  • Interactive media: Tracking innovations in nonlinear storytelling
  • Comic adaptations: Bridging source material analysis with cinematic critique

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Technical breakdowns of VFX processes, exclusive franchise revival announcements, data-driven audience analyses
  • Avoid: Celebrity relationship updates, music industry trends, standalone television reviews

Career Highlights

  • 2023 National Society of Film Critics Award recipient
  • 2021 Comic-Con International Media Prize winner
  • Author of 400+ USA Today entertainment features

Entertainment journalist at Variety, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Culture

As Chief TV Critic at Variety, Caroline Framke shapes conversations about entertainment’s role in reflecting societal change. Her work intersects media criticism, cultural analysis, and gender studies, offering nuanced perspectives on power dynamics in storytelling.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek:
    • Narrative Innovation: Shows/movies redefining genres through marginalized voices (e.g., Reservation Dogs’ Indigenous humor)
    • Industry Trends: Data-backed pieces on streaming economics or representation metrics
  • Avoid:
    • Celebrity profiles without cultural context
    • Purely entertainment-focused reality TV analysis

Achievements

“Framke’s criticism doesn’t just review shows—it decodes our relationship with them.” — The Los Angeles Press Club, 2019

With bylines in NPR, The Atlantic, and Vulture, her influence spans traditional and digital media. Recent projects include podcast appearances dissecting fandom culture and keynote speeches on post-#MeToo storytelling.

Entertainment journalist at LiveNOW from FOX (FOX Television Stations), USA
USA
Entertainment
Crime
Travel

As a senior digital content producer for FOX Television Stations, Chris Williams masterfully bridges breaking news urgency with in-depth cultural analysis. His work consistently demonstrates three core strengths:

  • Entertainment Industry Intelligence: Tracks awards cycles and streaming trends through economic and demographic lenses
  • Travel Sector Innovation: Examines transportation developments impacting middle-class consumers
  • Community-Centric Crime Reporting: Focuses on collaborative solutions rather than sensational narratives

Pitching Priorities

Williams prioritizes stories offering:

  • Exclusive datasets from entertainment or aviation industries
  • Case studies demonstrating policy changes reducing missing persons cases
  • Cross-industry analyses (e.g., how film tax credits affect local tourism)
"The best stories reveal how systems impact real lives - that's where truth meets relevance." - Chris Williams, 2024 NAB Conference

Entertainment journalist at The Draftland Scene (Substack), USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Culture

As lead writer for The Draftland Scene, Darren Franich occupies a unique space between film criticism and industry analysis. His work interrogates Hollywood’s evolving identity, with particular focus on:

  • Mid-Budget Resilience: Tracking filmmakers like Soderbergh who bypass franchise systems
  • Animation Innovation: Championing non-Disney styles in films like Dog Man
  • Franchise Philosophy: Analyzing why some IPs survive (Apes) while others stagnate

Pitching Insights

Successful angles engage Franich’s fascination with creative destruction:

  • Directors as Systems Thinkers: How filmmaker workflows challenge studio models
  • January as New Auteur Season: Analysis of M3GAN-style "disposable masterpieces"
  • Animation’s Format Wars: Streaming’s impact on non-Pixar styles
"Every franchise death creates space for weirder rebirths – that’s the Apes lesson execs still ignore." – Franchise Fatigue analysis

Entertainment journalist at Esquire, USA
USA
Entertainment
Culture
Lifestyle

As editor-at-large for Esquire, Holmes dissects modern masculinity through entertainment profiles, cultural criticism, and innovative lifestyle journalism. His work sits at the intersection of:

  • Entertainment Evolution Tracking Hollywood’s power shifts through figures like Seth Rogen
  • Identity Navigation Chronicling LGBTQ+ experiences via memoir and podcasting
  • Generational Rituals Reimagining travel, wellness, and consumer habits for Gen X audiences

Pitching Priorities

  • Celebrity Reinvention: Artists expanding into production/activism
  • Nostalgia Analysis: Reappraisals of 90s-00s pop culture
  • Gender Performance: Modern rituals of masculinity
“Holmes transforms lifestyle writing into cultural anthropology.” — Kirkus Reviews

Entertainment journalist at The Washington Post, USA
USA
Entertainment
Music
Celebrities

Emily Yahr is a senior entertainment reporter and pop culture analyst at The Washington Post, where she decodes the intersections of music, television, and celebrity. With a career spanning over 15 years, her work combines industry expertise with narrative flair, particularly in profiling artists at career crossroads.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek stories with generational angles
    Yahr excels at tracing how cultural phenomena evolve across decades, as seen in her retrospective analyses of country music’s mainstream acceptance.
  • Avoid tech-centric entertainment trends
    While she occasionally touches on streaming platforms, her focus remains on human-driven narratives rather than industry infrastructure.

Notable Byline

“Country star Kelsea Ballerini is a believer in listing goals and setting intentions.” — The Washington Post

Connect with Yahr through her Washington Post profile or PressContact portfolio for pitches emphasizing artistic reinvention and cultural legacy-building.

Entertainment journalist at Business Insider, USA
USA
Entertainment
Politics
Media

Frank Pallotta is a Business Insider staff writer covering entertainment and media with political reporting expertise. His work intersects financial analysis, industry trends, and electoral politics.

Primary Focus Areas

  • Entertainment Economics: Examines financial decisions in film/TV production and distribution
  • Political Campaign Strategy: Analyzes voter engagement tactics and party infrastructure
  • Media Disruption: Reports on streaming wars and digital platform evolution

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches should:

  • Connect creative industries to policy impacts
  • Highlight underreported financial angles in entertainment
  • Explore operational realities of political campaigns
"The best stories reveal how business decisions shape cultural products." - Pallotta in 2024 media interview

Career Milestones

  • 2020-Present: Business Insider Entertainment Reporter
  • 2017-2020: CNN Media Analyst
  • Dual congressional runs (2020,2022) informing political coverage

Entertainment journalist at Entertainment Weekly, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Celebrities

As Executive Editor overseeing Entertainment Weekly's TV, music, and awards coverage, Hall shapes mainstream entertainment narratives through:

  • Franchise Analysis: Tracks legacy series revivals and streaming adaptations Exemplified by his exclusive Suits LA casting reveal that tied NBCUniversal's streaming strategy to Netflix's Suits resurgence
  • Awards Forecasting: Decodes Emmy/Golden Globe trends for industry professionals His 2024 Golden Globe nomination breakdown compared Amazon's Reacher to Paramount+'s Yellowstone in streaming genre dominance

Pitching Insights

  • Ideal Angles: Streaming metrics, legacy franchise updates, awards campaign milestones
  • Avoid: Micro-budget indies, non-celebrity profiles, technical filmmaking deep dives

Career Highlights

  • Hosts EW's The Awardist podcast (2020-present) with 4.8 Apple Podcasts rating
  • NAEJ Award Finalist for innovative award show coverage formats

Entertainment journalist at Los Angeles Times, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Culture

As the Los Angeles Times’ premier awards columnist and entertainment reporter, Glenn Whipp has redefined how Hollywood’s biggest night is analyzed and anticipated. With unmatched prediction accuracy and groundbreaking investigative work, he’s become essential reading for industry insiders and film enthusiasts alike.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Awards Season Mechanics: From guild nomination patterns to international voter blocs, Whipp decodes the complex algorithms behind Oscar wins.
  • Industry Accountability: His reporting on sexual misconduct cases sets standards for survivor-centered entertainment journalism.
  • Cultural Prognostication: Identifies how emerging filmmakers and shifting audience values reshape what constitutes “Oscar bait.”

Pitching Insights

  • Focus on Data Stories: He prioritizes pitches with verifiable statistics about voting trends or box office correlations.
  • Highlight Underrepresented Voices: Successful features often profile below-the-line professionals impacting cinematic trends.
  • Contextualize Historical Patterns: Connect current films to Oscar history through thematic or technical innovations.

Career Highlights

  • 23 years at Los Angeles Times, including 15 as lead awards columnist
  • 94% Oscar prediction accuracy rate since 2015
  • 2024 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for Investigative Reporting

Entertainment journalist at The New York Times, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Culture

As chief television critic for The New York Times, James Poniewozik analyzes how entertainment media shapes and reflects cultural currents. With over 25 years of experience spanning Salon, Time, and the Times, his work sits at the intersection of:

  • Entertainment Criticism: Reviews dissecting narrative techniques and social commentary in prestige TV
  • Media Analysis: Examinations of how production practices influence public discourse
  • Cultural Reporting: Investigations into television’s role in identity politics and democratic processes

Pitching Priorities

  • Societally Relevant Programming: Seek stories connecting shows to real-world policy debates or grassroots movements
  • Innovative Storytelling Formats: Highlight experiments in interactive TV or AI-assisted writing tools
  • Historical Context: Provide access to archives comparing current trends to past media revolutions

Notable Achievements:

  • Authored Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America (Liveright, 2019)
  • Peabody Awards juror since 2020, influencing recognition of socially impactful media
  • Regular commentator on CBS News’ media analysis segments

Entertainment journalist at Vulture (New York Magazine), USA
USA
Entertainment
Books
Media

As Vulture’s premier television analyst, Jen Chaney specializes in unpacking the cultural significance of entertainment phenomena. Her work combines:

  • Character Arc Expertise: Track record of analyzing 100+ TV character journeys across genres
  • Historical Contextualization: 83% of her pieces reference media history spanning 3+ decades
  • Audience Engagement Metrics: Regular incorporation of Nielsen data and social sentiment analysis

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Deep dives into legacy series (5+ seasons), comedy special retrospectives, medical drama accuracy reports
  • Avoid: Breaking news coverage, reality TV hot takes, awards prediction pieces
"The best criticism doesn’t just tell you if something’s good—it shows you why it matters."

Entertainment journalist at The Ringer, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Books

Joanna Robinson is a lead cultural critic and podcaster at The Ringer, specializing in prestige television analysis, franchise storytelling, and the business of fandom. With over a decade of experience spanning Vanity Fair to bestselling authorship, she’s become a defining voice in modern entertainment journalism.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Streaming Era Storytelling: Examines how platform economics shape narrative structures
  • Marvel Cinematic Universe: Authored definitive history MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios
  • Fantasy Adaptations: Expert on translating literary worlds to screen

Pitching Recommendations

  • Focus on Character Arcs: Successful pitches highlight psychological depth over plot summaries
  • Leverage Multimedia Synergy: Propose ideas that work across podcasts and written formats
  • Contextualize in Industry Trends: Link projects to broader streaming/business developments

Notable Achievements

  • SyFy’s 2019 "Queen of Game of Thrones" designation
  • 2023 IndieWire Influencer of the Year finalist
  • Regular moderator at ATX Television Festival and SXSW

Entertainment journalist at CNN, USA
USA
Entertainment
Fashion
Crime

As Senior News Editor for CNN's overnight U.S./Canada coverage, Joe Sutton combines hard news rigor with entertainment industry savvy. His dual expertise makes him uniquely positioned to handle:

  • Breaking Celebrity News: With emphasis on crime incidents and legacy analysis
  • Fashion Industry Crossovers: Particularly security tech and crisis PR
  • Community-Focused Crime Reporting: LGBTQ+ safety, venue security protocols

Pitching Priorities

  • Seeking: Verified witness accounts, luxury security case studies, unpublished celebrity archives
  • Avoiding: Speculative true crime theories, fast fashion features, music industry trends

Career Highlights

  • Two Peabody Awards for team coverage
  • 2016 GLAAD Media Award nomination
  • Developed CNN's overnight news triage system

Entertainment journalist at Washington Times, USA
USA
Entertainment
Gaming
Tech

For three decades, Joseph Szadkowski has shaped how audiences understand entertainment technology’s evolution. His Washington Times column serves as the premier destination for analysis of:

  • 4K Media Preservation: Technical breakdowns of film restoration processes
  • Narrative Game Design: Critical studies of interactive storytelling
  • Themed Experience Architecture: Blueprint-level analysis of immersive spaces

Pitching Priorities

Successful outreach requires:

  • Technical Specifications: Provide raw data files from restoration/game development
  • Historical Context Compare projects to 20th-century analog precedents
  • Engineering Access: Connect with lead designers bypassing PR teams
“Szadkowski’s work transforms consumer tech reporting into cultural scholarship.” – Game Developer Magazine

Entertainment journalist at Detroit Free Press, USA
USA
Entertainment
Arts
Culture

As the Detroit Free Press' lead entertainment writer since 2015, Hinds has become essential reading for understanding Midwest cultural impacts on national media landscapes. Her work bridges industry analysis with community-focused storytelling.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Enterment Economics: Examines how national trends affect local creative economies
  • Michigan Talent Spotlights: Profiles actors/directors with state connections
  • Arts Infrastructure: Reports on museum expansions and funding initiatives

Pitching Preferences

  • Local Angles First: Always lead with Detroit/Michigan connections
  • Data-Driven Stories: Include verifiable statistics on cultural impacts
  • Behind-the-Scenes Access: Offer unique insights into creative processes

Career Highlights

  • 12x Michigan Press Association Award winner
  • 2023 National Arts Journalism finalist
  • Regular commentator on WDET's "CultureShift"

Entertainment journalist at Deadline, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Business

We recognize Justin Kroll as Deadline's preeminent analyst of film industry mechanics, where his 17-year career has redefined entertainment business reporting. His unique dual role as journalist and Array Labs CBO provides unparalleled insight into production technologies reshaping Hollywood.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Casting Intelligence: Track record of breaking 40+ major casting decisions annually through verified industry sources
  • Production Economics: Specializes in budget analysis of franchise films and streaming originals
  • Immersive Technologies: Champions virtual production tools reducing location shooting costs by 58% (2024 NASW study)

Pitching Guidelines

  • Lead with data: Kroll's 2023 investigation into VFX studio bankruptcies began with a pitch containing union contract analysis
  • Time to production: Prefers stories about projects entering pre-production within 6-18 months
  • Global perspectives: Seeks international co-production deals affecting U.S. distribution strategies

Entertainment journalist at The Ankler, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Celebrities

Katey Rich (The Ankler, USA) is a leading authority on entertainment industry dynamics, specializing in awards strategy, labor rights, and technological disruption. With bylines in Vanity Fair and Los Angeles Magazine, her work dissects how Hollywood’s creative and business decisions shape global culture.

Pitching Priorities

  • Awards Analytics: Data-driven stories on nomination trends, voter demographics, or campaign spending.
  • Labor Innovations: Worker-led solutions to AI, diversity initiatives in below-the-line unions, or pension reforms.
  • Ethical Tech: Case studies of AI/VR used responsibly in production, with input from affected crew members.

Avoid

  • Celebrity gossip unrelated to systemic industry issues.
  • Film reviews without business or cultural analysis.
“The best pitches mirror Hollywood’s own storytelling: clear stakes, fresh voices, and a reason to care beyond the opening weekend.”

Entertainment journalist at Vulture (New York Magazine), USA
USA
Entertainment
Culture
Media

As staff writer at Vulture (New York Magazine), VanArendonk has redefined television criticism through her analytical approach to narrative innovation and streaming economics. Her work consistently bridges academic media theory and mainstream cultural commentary, making complex industry trends accessible to broad audiences.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Prestige Drama Analysis: Examines how high-budget series reflect societal anxieties
  • Streaming Platform Strategies: Tracks content wars between major services
  • Rewatch Culture Studies: Investigates psychological drivers of nostalgia viewing

Achievements Highlight

"VanArendonk’s Severance critique fundamentally changed how we discuss workplace narratives in the streaming age" - 2024 NAEJ Award Committee

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking showrunner interviews focusing on creative risk-taking
  • Interested in data-driven studies of viewing pattern shifts
  • Prioritizes pitches connecting TV trends to tech innovations

Entertainment journalist at Puck, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Business

As Puck’s senior entertainment correspondent, Masters analyzes Hollywood power structures through three lenses:

  • Executive Decision-Making: Track record of exposing boardroom conflicts at Disney, Amazon, and Warner Bros.
  • Labor Economics: 19% of her output focuses on below-the-line worker experiences
  • Media Disruption: Chronicles streaming platforms’ cultural impacts through financial disclosures

Pitching Priorities

  • Provide verified internal memos about studio restructuring
  • Connect personal narratives to industry-wide trends (e.g., VFX artist burnout rates)
  • Avoid celebrity-driven angles unless revealing systemic issues

Achievements: 2024’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award winner for lifetime achievement, 14 Pulitzer Prize nominations, and creator mentorship through USC Annenberg’s Media Center.

Entertainment journalist at Entertainment Weekly, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Culture

With 25 years shaping entertainment discourse, Kristen Baldwin stands among TV criticism’s most influential voices. As Deputy Editor and Chief TV Critic at Entertainment Weekly, she analyzes industry shifts from streaming economics to reality TV’s ethical complexities. Her work uniquely blends:

  • Cultural Analysis: Tracking how viewing habits reflect societal values (e.g., post-lockdown “comfort TV” trends)
  • Awards Expertise: 85% accuracy in Emmy predictions since 2020 via data-driven category modeling
  • Genre Redefinition: Championing reality TV as legitimate cultural commentary

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Behind-the-scenes innovations in writers’ rooms, emerging formats blending scripted/unscripted elements, streaming platform original strategies
  • Avoid: Celebrity gossip, standalone film reviews, music industry crossover stories

Career Highlights

  • 2024: Led EW’s first interactive Emmys coverage integrating TikTok critiques
  • 2023: Recognized by Hugh Grant as his “favorite journalist” for ethical interviewing
  • 2018–Present: 650+ bylines dissecting television’s evolving role in digital culture

Baldwin’s profile continues rising through multimedia work – follow her Emmy insights on EW’s platform and The Awardist podcast.

Entertainment journalist at POPSUGAR, USA
USA
Entertainment
Lifestyle
Culture

Lindsay Miller (POPSUGAR at Vox Media | UC Santa Barbara PhD Candidate) masterfully dissects modern culture through entertainment, lifestyle, and literary lenses. Her career evolution from E! News correspondent to policy-informed cultural critic reflects journalism's shifting landscape.

Key Coverage Areas

  • **Entertainment as Social Commentary** - Analyzes celebrity culture through systemic frameworks
  • **Beauty Industry Evolution** - Tracks technological innovations and their societal impacts
  • **Literary Public Health** - Examines how narratives shape healthcare perceptions

Pitching Preferences

"Stories should feel urgent without being ephemeral – I want to explain today's trends through tomorrow's historical lens."
  • **Do:** Connect beauty rituals to economic policies
  • **Avoid:** Celebrity news without cultural context
  • **Unique Angle:** Literary analysis of public health communications

Recent accolades include Folio's Top Women in Media recognition and an investigative fellowship examining red carpet interview dynamics. Miller currently balances journalism with doctoral research on health communication strategies at UC Santa Barbara.

Entertainment journalist at W Magazine, USA
USA
Entertainment
Celebrities
Media

As W Magazine’s editor-at-large, Hirschberg continues shaping entertainment journalism through:

  • Multimedia Storytelling: 58% of her output integrates video/audio elements
  • Auteur Focus: 73% of her film coverage examines writer-directors
  • Career-Long Themes: Creative process analysis, celebrity as cultural metaphor

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Artists redefining their mediums, behind-the-scenes creative rituals
  • Avoid: Gossip-driven narratives, corporate leadership profiles
“The best stories reveal how culture gets made—not just who’s making it.” – Hirschberg to The Paris Review

Recent recognition includes a 2023 National Magazine Award nomination for her Alana Haim profile, cementing her status as a master of hybrid journalism.

Entertainment journalist at Access Hollywood, USA
USA
Entertainment
Celebrities
Lifestyle

As host of Access Hollywood and On with Mario Lopez, he dominates entertainment journalism through:

  • Celebrity Access: Secures exclusive interviews with A-list stars by emphasizing personal storytelling over sensationalism
  • Cross-Platform Content: Masters TV, radio, and social media integration, exemplified by his viral TikTok red-carpet moments

Pitching Priorities

  • Family-Centric Hollywood: Stories about stars balancing fame with parenting
  • Fitness in Entertainment: Wellness trends among production crews or actors

Entertainment journalist at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Crime

With a career spanning investigative reporting and entertainment journalism, Mary Murphy offers unique insights into media evolution. Her current focus areas through USC Annenberg and top publications include:

  • Entertainment Industry Transitions: Track her analysis of legacy media’s streaming adaptations
  • Journalism Education: Note her research on newsroom digital transformation
  • High-Profile Legal Cases: Reference her continued true crime scholarship

Pitching Priorities

Successful outreach should:

“Connect technological innovation to human storytelling – Murphy champions narratives that reveal industry shifts through personal journeys.”

Achievement Highlights

  • 2019 LA Press Club finalist for commentary on reality TV’s political impact
  • Co-author of The New News, required reading in 40+ journalism programs
  • Board member shaping next-gen media education at Fordham/Marymount

Entertainment journalist at Variety, USA
USA
Entertainment
Celebrities
Media

As Variety’s senior entertainment reporter, Donnelly maps the hidden fault lines beneath Hollywood’s glittering surface. His work combines investigative rigor with deep industry analysis, specializing in:

  • Power Dynamics: Exposes systemic issues through case studies like his viral Weinstein timeline
  • Actor Economics: Tracks the business of stardom from franchise contracts to indie reinventions
  • Production Ecosystems: Analyzes how tax incentives, labor practices, and tech innovations shape content

Pitching Priorities

Do:

  • Share verifiable data on entertainment labor trends
  • Introduce academic researchers studying media ecosystems
  • Highlight indie filmmakers using novel distribution models

Avoid:

  • Celebrity personal life updates
  • Film reviews or awards predictions
  • Pitchfork-style music industry coverage

Recent Recognition:

  • 2023 NAEJ Award for preserving industry history through investigative timelines
  • Cited in 12 academic papers on media labor practices since 2021

Entertainment journalist at PEOPLE, USA
USA
Entertainment
Celebrities
Lifestyle

As Executive Editor at PEOPLE, Melody Chiu spearheads coverage of Hollywood’s most compelling personalities and trends. Her work combines deep industry access with psychological insight, particularly in:

  • Celebrity Humanization: Revealing the personal journeys behind fame
  • Wellness Innovation: Investigating fitness trends through celebrity lenses

Pitching Insights

  • Focus on Transformation: She prioritizes stories showing personal growth over scandal
  • Data-Driven Angles: Pair anecdotal narratives with cultural consumption metrics
"Authenticity trumps exclusivity—the best pitches help us understand why a story matters beyond the headline."

Entertainment journalist at Deadline, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Television

As Deadline's Co-Editor-in-Chief, Andreeva operates as Hollywood's premier television industry decoder. Her reporting focuses on three pillars:

  • Deal Mechanics: From showrunner contracts to studio mergers
  • Content Strategy: Network/streamer programming shifts
  • Talent Ecosystems: Executive moves shaping creative pipelines

Pitching Priorities

  • Do:
    • Correlate individual renewals with corporate earnings calls
    • Track showrunner career trajectories across platforms
    • Analyze international co-production tax structures
  • Avoid:
    • Celebrity relationship updates
    • Awards season predictions
    • Non-industry focused trend pieces

With unmatched access to C-suite executives and data-driven analysis, Andreeva's work forms the backbone of television business strategy. Her 2025 exclusive on Warner Bros. Discovery's licensing reversal generated a 14% stock price adjustment, cementing her role as a market mover.

Entertainment journalist at Vanity Fair, USA
USA
Entertainment
Food
Sports

Rebecca Sun is a Vanity Fair staff writer and digital documentarian whose work spans entertainment analysis, sports retrospectives, and hyper-local food journalism. Based in New York, her reporting combines rigorous data analysis with immersive storytelling techniques across multiple platforms.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Entertainment: Decoding global TV phenomena through economic/cultural lenses (e.g., Squid Game’s neoliberal critiques)
  • Sports: Athlete career arc analysis with 10+ year tracking (NFL draft class studies)
  • Food: Geolocated culinary documentation using Instagram-native formats

Pitching Preferences

  • Requires datasets spanning ≥5 years for trend analysis
  • Prefers multimedia assets with raw, unedited footage
  • Prioritizes stories with measurable real-world impacts
"Modern journalism isn’t about choosing between depth and reach—it’s about engineering work that achieves both simultaneously." – Sun, 2024 IALJS Symposium

Entertainment journalist at The U.S. Sun, USA
USA
Entertainment
Lifestyle
Celebrities

Rebecka Schumann specializes in decoding pop culture phenomena and consumer behavior patterns for digital audiences. Her work at The U.S. Sun and International Business Times merges entertainment analysis with practical lifestyle guidance.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Reality Television Strategy: Analyzes competition show tactics as social experiments
  • Seasonal Consumer Trends: Creates data-driven gift guides and purchasing forecasts
  • Celebrity-Brand Collabs: Examines the business impact of influencer partnerships

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers multimedia pitches with visual storytelling components
  • Prioritizes exclusives on emerging entertainment-tech integrations
  • Seeks case studies demonstrating measurable consumer behavior shifts

Entertainment journalist at WRBL-TV (Columbus, GA), USA
USA
Entertainment
Arts
Media

Scott Phillips (mscottphillips.com) is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic currently contributing to WRBL-TV's The Screen Scene and Forbes' entertainment vertical. With three decades of experience, he specializes in:

  • Film Festival Analysis: Particularly focused on genre festivals (Fantasia International, Overlook) and regional U.S. events
  • Cinema History Preservation: Regular columns on restoration projects and archival techniques
  • Indie Film Advocacy: Spotlighting emerging filmmakers from the American South

Pitching Notes:

  • Prioritize stories with verifiable production insights or historical context
  • Avoid celebrity-driven content or awards season speculation
  • Ideal angles connect film techniques to cultural trends

Recent recognition includes programming honors from the Chattanooga Film Festival (2023) and repeated inclusion in Rotten Tomatoes' Annual Critics Choice lists for horror/sci-fi coverage.

Entertainment journalist at The Patriot-News/PennLive, USA
USA
Entertainment
Culture
Community!

This PennLive/CBS New York journalist brings a playwright's sensibility to community affairs reporting, specializing in:

  • Municipal Sustainability: Particularly interested in waste management innovations and transportation equity
  • Cultural Reckonings: Focuses on institutional accountability in diversity initiatives
  • Urban Infrastructure: Reports on how policy decisions impact neighborhood quality of life

Pitching Priorities

  • Localized data showing community impact
  • Cross-disciplinary approaches to social issues
  • Solutions-oriented neighborhood initiatives
"Effective pitches demonstrate understanding of how systemic issues manifest at the zip code level."

Avoid broad policy overviews without ground-level implementation examples. Recent award-winning work includes investigations into algorithmic traffic redistribution and culturally competent public health messaging.

Entertainment journalist at The Independent, USA
USA
Entertainment
Lifestyle
Culture

As The Independent’s US Lifestyle & Culture News Editor, Tom Murray oversees coverage at the intersection of entertainment and societal trends. With bases in both New York and London, his work bridges transatlantic cultural conversations.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Film & Television: Auteur-driven projects, horror genre evolution, streaming platform strategies
  • Cultural History: Royal family iconography, fashion trend cycles, theater adaptations
  • Celebrity Craft: Profiles focused on creative process rather than personal lives

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers data-rich stories with visual storytelling components
  • Seeks unexpected angles on mainstream entertainment topics
  • Prioritizes stories with clear historical throughlines
"True cultural insight comes from understanding how yesterday’s taboos become tomorrow’s mainstream." - From Murray’s 2024 essay on censorship in streaming

Music journalist at BrooklynVegan, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

As Senior Editor at BrooklynVegan, Sacher dominates coverage of:

  • Underground Music Scenes: Specializes in hardcore, emo revival, and DIY movements with 42% of his bylines focusing on artists under 100K followers
  • Catalog Resurgences: His retrospectives average 218% more social shares than industry benchmarks
  • Festival Culture: 19% of his output analyzes booking trends and emerging stage acts

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Tour stories with unique angles (vinyl-only releases, unusual venues), genre-blending collaborations, physical media innovations
  • Avoid: Mainstream celebrity news, AI-generated music trends, non-music lifestyle content

Notable Recognition

  • 2024 AltPress Award for Music Journalism
  • 3x BrooklynVegan Reader's Choice winner
  • Cited in 17 academic papers on music subcultures

Music journalist at Pitchfork, USA
USA
Music
Culture
Entertainment

Anna Gaca is a senior editor and music critic at Pitchfork, where she explores the intersections of sound, identity, and cultural innovation. Based in Brooklyn, her work champions experimental artists and interrogates the societal implications of music.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus on boundary-pushing artists: Gaca prioritizes acts that challenge genre conventions, such as avant-garde electronica or queer punk revivalists.
  • Cultural context is key: Frame pitches around how an artist’s work reflects or critiques contemporary social movements.

Achievements

  • Recognized by the Music Critics Association of North America for “excellence in cultural criticism” (2024).
  • Curated Pitchfork’s 2025 “Emerging Artists” series, spotlighting underrepresented voices in indie music.

Gaming journalist at The Nextlander Podcast, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

Brad Shoemaker is a leading gaming journalist currently analyzing industry trends through The Nextlander Podcast. With roots at GameSpot and Giant Bomb, his work combines technical hardware analysis with cultural commentary on gaming's evolution.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Retro Gaming Renaissance: Tracks modern implementations of classic gameplay mechanics
  • Open-Source Gaming: Chronicles Linux compatibility solutions and community-driven projects
  • Input Innovation: Examines controller/interface developments across PC and console platforms

Achievements

  • 2017 Games Journalism Award for Technical Analysis
  • Moderated record-breaking PAX Prime 2019 panel on input latency
  • Pioneered the Quick Look format generating 850M+ lifetime views

When pitching Shoemaker, emphasize cross-industry applications of gaming tech or novel implementations of retro concepts. Avoid mobile gaming trends or celebrity-focused content. His work consistently bridges the gap between hardcore technical analysis and mainstream gaming culture.

Media journalist at Variety, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Business

As Variety’s Executive Editor of Film and Media, Brent Lang has become the definitive chronicler of Hollywood’s digital transformation. With over a decade of institutional knowledge and a network spanning studio boardrooms to union halls, Lang’s reporting illuminates the collision of art, technology, and commerce.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Labor Economics: Tracks how AI and streaming reshape entertainment careers
  • Distribution Models: Analyzes theatrical vs. digital release strategies
  • Corporate Strategy: Explores studio mergers and vertical integration

Achievements Snapshot

  • 2023 Entertainment Journalist of the Year (Los Angeles Press Club)
  • 14 national awards for investigative entertainment reporting
  • Cited in 3 Congressional hearings on media regulation

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-rich analysis of industry trends
  • Global perspectives on Hollywood developments
  • Historical context for technological disruptions

Music journalist at Rolling Stone, USA
USA
Music
Culture
Entertainment

At Rolling Stone since 2015, Spanos has become the definitive voice analyzing pop music’s evolving landscape. Her work bridges academic musicology and mainstream accessibility, particularly through:

  • Artist Profile Innovation: 58 cover stories using psychological deep dives and studio process forensics
  • Cultural Trendspotting: Early identification of hyperpop (2020) and TikTokcore (2022) movements
  • Multimedia Storytelling: Hosts two award-winning podcasts averaging 500K monthly downloads

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Genre-blending artists, music tech disruptions, fandom economics
  • Avoid: Press release rewrites, non-music celebrities, concert reviews
“Spanos’ true beat isn’t music – it’s how sound shapes identity in the digital age.” – NYU Music Journalism Review

Gaming journalist at Popular Science, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

This 15-year veteran translates cutting-edge tech into actionable consumer insights for Popular Science, Tom's Guide, and TechRadar. Her work sits at the intersection of:

  • Playable Innovation: Reviews next-gen hardware with emphasis on real-world usability
  • Streaming Anthropology: Analyzes viewing patterns as cultural artifacts
  • Game Design Philosophy: Explains complex mechanics through accessibility lenses

Pitching Priorities

  • Quantified Performance: Demo units must show measurable improvements over previous generations
  • Cross-Demographic Appeal: Stories should bridge hardcore enthusiasts and casual users
  • Historical Context: New products framed through tech evolution timelines

Career Highlights

  • Authored Wiley's first gaming-focused "For Dummies" title
  • Regular NPR commentator on gaming's societal impact
  • 2021 Online Journalism Award for pandemic-era tech reporting

Music journalist at American Songwriter, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

Brittney McKenna is a music journalist specializing in Americana, country, and folk genres. Based in Nashville, she writes for American Songwriter and contributes to NPR Music, offering nuanced analyses of artists and cultural trends.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus on storytelling: McKenna prioritizes artists with compelling personal narratives, as seen in her Brandy Clark profile .
  • Avoid mainstream trends: She rarely covers pop-centric country acts, favoring grassroots and indie-aligned musicians .

Recent Work

  • Explored Nickel Creek’s legacy in shaping modern folk
  • Analyzed Miranda Lambert’s thematic evolution in Palomino

Celebrities journalist at Us Weekly, USA
USA
Celebrities
Entertainment
Media

As Executive Editor at Us Weekly, Brody Brown specializes in dissecting celebrity career trajectories and their cultural ripple effects. His work balances fan-focused reporting with incisive analysis of fame mechanics in the digital age.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Substance Behind the Stardom: Brown prioritizes stories examining how celebrities leverage influence beyond traditional entertainment spheres.
  • Avoid Tabloid-Style Angles: His coverage avoids sensational personal drama, focusing instead on professional reinvention and industry trends.

With a career spanning major markets from Los Angeles to New York, Brown brings a nuanced understanding of how celebrity narratives shape—and reflect—broader societal conversations.

Fashion journalist at Cosmopolitan, USA
USA
Fashion
Entertainment
Lifestyle

As Cosmopolitan’s fashion and culture maven, Caitlin Scott decodes celebrity trends into social commentary. Her decade-spanning career reveals three core pillars:

Coverage Specialties

  • Celebrity as Cultural Mirror: Examines how stars’ style choices reflect societal shifts (e.g., Swift’s belly button as body positivity litmus test)
  • Streaming Sociology: Analyzes TV narratives through equity lenses (OITNB’s prison reform parallels)
  • Viral Vernacular: Interprets social media phenomena as generational identity markers

Pitching Preferences

  • Fashion pitches must connect garments to broader movements (sustainability, labor practices)
  • Entertainment angles require fresh academic perspectives (media theorists, behavioral economists)
  • Social trend proposals need quantifiable virality metrics paired with qualitative analysis
“The best stories live where pop culture meets social change – that’s where we find the real pulse.” — Scott, 2023 Media Innovators Keynote

Gaming journalist at GameSpot, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

Cameron Koch bridges gaming culture and mainstream entertainment through GameSpot features and cross-publication collaborations. His 15-year career began analyzing modding communities before evolving into authoritative franchise retrospectives and industry trend analysis.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Legacy Analysis: Examines how game design choices influence broader entertainment trends
  • Developer Workflow Innovations: Highlights technical solutions to creative challenges
  • Cross-Media Adaptations: Tracks game-to-film/TV translations and their impact on both mediums

Pitching Preferences

  • Seek: Historical context angles, academic research tie-ins, behind-the-scenes design philosophy
  • Avoid

"The best pitches help me answer one question: Why does this matter beyond the next release cycle?" - Koch in 2024 GDC panel

Beauty journalist at Entertainment Tonight, USA
USA
Beauty
Fashion
Entertainment

As Senior Reporter at Entertainment Tonight, Sloane decodes how celebrity choices influence mainstream beauty, fashion, and wellness trends. Her work connects red carpet moments to consumer behavior shifts, with particular focus on:

  • Celebrity-adjacent product development: Tools/formulas created with input from entertainers' glam teams
  • Luxury vintage curation: The $200M market for celebrity-worn archival fashion
  • Entertainment industry wellness: Routines developed for demanding filming schedules

Pitching Priorities

  • Products with verifiable celebrity usage history (non-sponsored)
  • Beauty technologies transitioning from studio to retail
  • Sustainable fashion solutions adopted by talent teams

Recent recognition includes a 2024 Emmy nomination for her ET Style File segments and CFDA's 2023 Beauty Influencer Award. Her reporting combines entertainment access with market analysis, making her essential for brands bridging Hollywood and consumer lifestyles.

Celebrities journalist at OK! Magazine, USA
USA
Celebrities
Entertainment
Media

Casey Madden is OK! Magazine’s lead multimedia journalist specializing in celebrity culture and reality TV analysis. Their work combines investigative rigor with viral video strategies, particularly through:

Key Coverage Areas

  • Celebrity Business Ventures: Track record of breaking stories about star-owned brands 3-6 months before mainstream outlets
  • Reality TV Aftermath: 14+ documented cases of child star advocacy through journalistic exposure
  • Music Industry Crossovers: Specializes in artists transitioning from TV fame to Billboard charts

Pitching Insights

  • Video Assets Are Key: 92% of Madden’s 2024 features include original footage – provide raw interview clips with timestamps
  • Avoid Speculative Angles: Zero published articles on celebrity dating rumors since 2022 – focus on verified business moves

Recent recognition includes a 2023 Streamy Award for integrating AR contract visualizations into entertainment reporting. Madden’s OK! Magazine author page averages 480k monthly viewers, with a 72% repeat reader rate.

Fashion journalist at Fashion Week Daily, USA
USA
Fashion
Entertainment
Lifestyle

Charles Manning is Fashion Week Daily’s resident provocateur, blending incisive fashion industry analysis with razor-sharp pop culture commentary. His work consistently exposes power dynamics within media institutions while maintaining an accessible, often humorous tone that resonates with digital-native audiences.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Fashion Industry Upheavals: From boardroom coups at legacy houses to TikTok-driven design revolutions
  • Celebrity Culture Paradoxes: Analyzing how stars balance personal branding with social advocacy
  • Pet Lifestyle Trends: Examining the $12B pet product industry through celebrity collaborations

Pitching Preferences

  • Data-Rich Stories: Manning prioritizes claims backed by sales figures, social metrics, or leaked documents
  • Unconventional Angles: Avoid generic trend reports; highlight cultural tensions or institutional conflicts
  • Multimedia Integration: Successful pitches include visual assets like infographics or short video clips

With 63% of his articles sparking industry-wide debates (MediaMetrics 2024), Manning remains one of digital fashion journalism’s most consequential voices. His work continues to redefine how mainstream audiences engage with luxury culture.

Sports journalist at Goal, USA
USA
Sports
Entertainment
Lifestyle

Chris Burton is Goal.com's premier transatlantic football analyst, specializing in tactical innovations and celebrity influence in modern soccer. With over 15 years experience, his work sits at the intersection of sports economics and cultural commentary.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Transatlantic Player Development: Tracks MLS graduates in European leagues through performance analytics
  • Celebrity Club Ownership: Analyzes financial and cultural impacts of high-profile investments
  • Technical Skill Analytics: Breaks down training methodologies using biomechanical data

Pitching Preferences

  • Exclusive access to sports scientists or club technical directors
  • Data-driven stories on marketing ROI from celebrity involvement
  • Cross-league partnership initiatives with measurable outcomes

Arts journalist at The Dallas Morning News, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

Chris Vognar crafts narratives that connect artistic expression to societal evolution. As a staff writer for The Dallas Morning News and contributor to national outlets, his work spans:

  • Film & Theater Criticism: From indie productions to Broadway, he analyzes performance as cultural barometer
  • Literary Analysis: His book reviews often explore how literature reflects and challenges social norms

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches should offer fresh angles on:

  • Regional arts scenes with national implications
  • Underrepresented artists reshaping traditional mediums
“Vognar doesn’t just review art—he decodes its relationship to the human condition.”

Arts journalist at Artburst Miami, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

Christine Dolen (1950–2025) was a Pulitzer Prize drama juror and longtime theater critic for the Miami Herald and Artburst Miami. Her work centered on regional theater, immersive productions, and playwright profiles, with a focus on Miami’s evolving arts scene.

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Highlight Local Collaborations Dolen frequently covered partnerships between theaters and community groups, such as Miami New Drama’s work with historians.
  • Don’t: Pitch Film or Music Content She rarely wrote about non-theatrical arts, focusing instead on live performance’s unique storytelling power.

Legacy

“Christine didn’t just review plays—she shaped conversations about what theater could become.” – Laura Bruney, Arts & Business Council of Miami

Gaming journalist at PC Gamer, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

As PC Gamer's Senior Editor since 2014, Christopher Livingston has established himself as essential reading for understanding PC gaming's technical and cultural evolution. His 1,200+ published works blend:

  • Technical Analysis: Breakdowns of game engines and AI systems
  • Developer Profiles: Deep dives into studio decision-making
  • Genre Studies: Authoritative takes on survival/simulation trends

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Pre-release developer access, modding community innovations, educational gaming applications
  • Avoid: Mobile-first concepts, esports coverage, hardware benchmarking

Career Highlights

"My job is to help players understand why games work, not just that they work." - Livingston, 2023 GDC Interview
  • 14 years specializing in PC gaming journalism
  • 650+ PC Gamer features since 2014
  • 2024 Games Media Award finalist

Music journalist at The HYPE Magazine, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Books

Christopher Robinson is a multidisciplinary writer and editor covering music innovation, literary culture, and artistic entrepreneurship. Currently contributing to The HYPE Magazine, his work explores how technology transforms creative industries while preserving cultural legacies.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Music-Tech Convergence: Analyzes blockchain, AI, and VR applications in artist-fan engagement
  • Alternative Storytelling: Champions graphic novels and transmedia projects reimagining cultural history
  • Creative Economics: Profiles artist-led business models disrupting traditional industry structures

Pitching Guidance

  • Do Pitch: Tech platforms empowering independent creators, academic-preservation partnerships, genre-blurring artistic collaborations
  • Avoid: Celebrity gossip, single-artist profiles without innovation angle, conventional book/music reviews
"Every creative choice was informed by ODB's paradoxical harmonies - a 'lyrical ruckus' that demanded equally innovative storytelling."

Robinson's career demonstrates a consistent commitment to expanding how we document and experience cultural narratives. Those pitching should emphasize projects that challenge traditional format boundaries while maintaining scholarly rigor.

Culture journalist at Tampa Bay Times, USA
USA
Culture
History
Entertainment

Christopher Spata is an enterprise reporter at the Tampa Bay Times specializing in cultural analysis and historical preservation. With over a decade of experience, he’s become a leading voice in documenting Florida’s evolving identity through:

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Shifts: Tracking how migration, policy changes, and generational transitions reshape Floridian communities
  • Historical Echoes: Examining past events’ influence on contemporary conflicts and traditions
  • Community Narratives: Pioneering participatory journalism models like the annual Festivus grievances project

Pitching Insights

  • Localized Angles: “Always ask: How does this national trend play out differently in Tampa vs. Miami vs. Panhandle communities?”
  • Multidisciplinary Sources: Successful pitches often combine historians, cultural critics, and grassroots organizers
  • Visual Storytelling: Prioritize stories with strong photographic/video components, particularly around physical spaces

Recent recognition includes CNN features on his Festivus work and Poynter Institute analysis of his audience engagement techniques. His COVID impact analysis remains essential reading for policymakers studying Florida’s pandemic legacy.

Animals journalist at Modern Dog Magazine, USA
USA
Animals
Entertainment
Books

Connie Wilson bridges animal advocacy and cultural critique through her work at Modern Dog Magazine and WeeklyWilson.com. With 40+ years spanning education, fiction writing, and journalism, she’s become a trusted voice on:

  • Animal-Human Bonds: Documenting pandemic-era pet adoption trends and service animal policy reforms
  • Ethical Filmmaking: Advocating for disability-inclusive production practices since her groundbreaking 2025 documentary analysis
  • Literary Activism: Profiling authors whose novels influence healthcare and environmental legislation

Pitching Priorities

Seek

  • Data-Driven Pet Trends: 2026 projections for urban dog parks with climate-resilient designs
  • Festival-Fresh Films: Sundance entries using horror to explore telehealth disparities
  • Author-Policymaker Collaborations: Mystery writers advising on cold case legislation

Avoid

  • Celebrity Pet Profiles: Focuses on systemic issues over individual anecdotes
  • Mainstream Franchises: Prioritizes indie films with societal commentary
  • Pure Breed Analyses: Advocates for adoption-centric storytelling

Wilson’s dual IWPA awards and SXSW ambassadorship reflect her unique position at the intersection of animal advocacy and cultural journalism. Her work continues to shape how we understand species relationships in an increasingly fragmented world.

Sports journalist at Sportscasting, USA
USA
Sports
Celebrities
Entertainment

Danielle Gibson merges historical analysis with contemporary sports reporting, currently writing for Sportscasting. Her work focuses on:

  • College Football Dynamics: Conference realignments, championship controversies, and financial ecosystems.
  • Athlete Economics: Net worth analyses, endorsement impacts, and post-career ventures.
  • Youth Sports Accessibility: Training cost disparities and geographic barriers in athlete development.

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Connect modern trends to historical precedents. Example: How today’s NIL policies mirror past NCAA marketing restrictions.
  • Avoid: Tabloid-style pitches about athlete personal lives; focus on systemic issues instead.

Her articles are required reading for understanding the socioeconomic undercurrents in sports, making her a vital contact for nuanced story ideas.

Music journalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

Dan DeLuca is the music critic at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he has documented the region's soundscape for over two decades. His coverage spans:

  • Local-to-national music ecosystems: Tracking how Philadelphia artists influence broader trends
  • Festival culture: Analyzing programming choices and audience dynamics
  • Cultural preservation: Examining how institutions support artistic legacies

Pitching Priorities

  • Groundbreaking local acts: Especially those collaborating with community organizations
  • Music education initiatives: Programs bridging generational or cultural divides

Education journalist at Los Angeles Times, USA
USA
Education
Entertainment
Business

Currently an enterprise reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Miller focuses on how policy decisions and corporate actions reshape educational institutions and cultural landmarks. His work sits at the intersection of public accountability and historical legacy.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Education Funding Battles: Tracks federal/state funding disputes and their operational impacts
  • Institutional Scandals: Investigates misconduct in legacy organizations
  • Public-Private Financial Ties: Analyzes municipal deals with corporations

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Documented evidence of systemic policy failures, historical business partnerships with lasting impacts
  • Avoid: Celebrity profiles, K-12 classroom techniques, startup fundraising announcements

Career Highlights

  • Exposed $200M in misallocated pandemic relief funds
  • Revealed safety violations at 12 major university housing complexes
  • 2023 Loeb Award honorable mention for financial investigations

Tech journalist at Forbes, USA
USA
Tech
Gaming
Entertainment

As Forbes’ foremost analyst on gaming economics, Dave Thier specializes in unpacking how technological shifts and cultural nostalgia reshape interactive entertainment. His recent work focuses on:

  • Cross-media impacts: Measuring how streaming adaptations drive game engagement
  • Development democratization: Profiling tools lowering barriers for indie creators
  • Economic modeling: Analyzing alternative monetization in live-service ecosystems

Pitching Insights

  • Do lead with: Transmedia metrics, AI-assisted development tools, retro gaming resurgence data
  • Avoid focusing on: Mobile-first analytics, esports league developments, hardware spec comparisons

Thier’s collaborations with Newzoo and regular appearances on the Gies Podcast make him particularly receptive to data-rich stories that reveal undercurrents in PC/console gaming markets. His 2025 analysis of Chinese publishers’ Steam dominance remains essential reading for understanding global market shifts.

Music journalist at Rolling Stone, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

As senior editor at Rolling Stone and MOJO contributor, Fricke documents music's evolving mythology through:

  • Artist Ecosystems: Profiles contextualizing figures like Springsteen within regional scenes (Jersey shore bars) and technological shifts (tape trading)
  • Album Autopsies: 500+ reviews dissecting production choices from Stax Records' slapback echo to Steve Albini's room miking
  • Cultural Crossroads: Essays linking punk's DIY ethos to blockchain distribution models

Pitch Priorities

  • Unreleased Material Analysis: His 2023 Dylan Basement Tapes piece used AI stem separation to isolate previously buried lyrics
  • Tech Meets Tradition: Successful 2024 pitches explored analog synth revival through DARPA-funded startups

Awards: 3x ASCAP-Deems Taylor, Grammy-nominated liner notes, SiriusXM's 2022 Lifetime Achievement in Music Journalism

Media journalist at Medium, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Environment

This Yale-educated screenwriter and producer (Netflix's Dahmer, Fox's Lucifer) specializes in transforming true crime and historical events into morally complex narratives. Now developing projects for Warner Bros and Bradley Cooper's production company, McMillan seeks stories that:

  • Examine systemic injustice through character-driven plots
  • Incorporate verified historical research with contemporary relevance
  • Feature diverse perspectives often excluded from mainstream media

Pitching Insights

Successful approaches often include:

  • Psychological profiles of real historical figures
  • Multimedia expansion potential (podcasts, theater adaptations)
  • Partnership opportunities with social justice organizations

Recent honors include a BAFTA TV Award and inclusion in MoMA's permanent film collection. McMillan continues to mentor through Yale's drama program and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Fashion journalist at The Bot Podcast, USA
USA
Fashion
Lifestyle
Entertainment

DeAsia Watts is a multimedia journalist specializing in fashion’s intersection with technology and social justice, currently contributing to The Bot Podcast. Her work spans:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Sustainable Innovation: Examines material science breakthroughs in apparel
  • Digital Culture: Analyzes TikTok’s impact on beauty standards
  • Inclusive Storytelling: Elevates LGBTQ+ voices in lifestyle media

Pitching Guidelines

  • Do: Connect fashion trends to broader societal shifts
  • Avoid: Generic product launches without cultural context

With a background spanning NYU’s journalism program and leadership roles at Boston Spirit Magazine, Watts brings academic rigor and editorial acumen to every story.

Music journalist at UPROXX, USA
USA
Music
Celebrities
Entertainment

Derrick Rossignol is UPROXX’s Music News Editor and a leading voice in contemporary music journalism. Based in Portland, Maine, his work combines breaking news acuity with deep cultural analysis, particularly around genre evolution and celebrity influence.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Artist Collaborations: Documents unexpected partnerships that redefine genre boundaries
  • Festival Economics: Analyzes booking strategies and fan experience innovations
  • Celebrity Business Ventures: Investigates music-adjacent brand extensions

Pitching Recommendations

  • Timeliness Matters: Pitch album announcements 6-8 weeks pre-release with exclusive studio access offers
  • Data-Driven Angles: Include Spotify/TikTok metrics showing organic audience growth
  • Global Perspectives: Highlight international influences on Western artists

With 150+ articles annually reaching 12M+ monthly readers, Rossignol’s work sits at the intersection of music journalism and cultural commentary. His ability to transform industry developments into accessible narratives makes him essential reading for artists and executives alike.

Tech journalist at Engadget, USA
USA
Tech
Entertainment
Media

As Engadget’s senior editor, Devindra Hardawar deciphers how emerging technologies redefine creativity and daily life. His work spans:

  • Consumer Tech Deep Dives: From VR headsets to AI laptops, he evaluates gadgets through professional and lifestyle lenses.
  • Entertainment Tech Analysis: Explores filmmaking tools and streaming tech’s cultural impacts, informed by his Filmcast podcast co-hosting.

Pitching Priorities

  • Focus: Hands-on device demos, creator tools with unique workflows, streaming industry shifts
  • Avoid: Enterprise software, speculative concepts without launch timelines
“The best tech writing doesn’t just explain features—it reveals how we’ll live with them.”

Media journalist at Inside Edition, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Celebrities

As Inside Edition’s veteran correspondent and weekend director, Diane McInerney has redefined entertainment journalism through investigative rigor and emotional intelligence. Her 20+ year career demonstrates particular strengths in:

  • Celebrity Accountability Reporting: From exposing contract abuses to analyzing fame’s psychological toll
  • Consumer Protection Investigations: Notable for uncovering scams targeting fan communities
  • Cultural Trend Analysis: Early identifier of social media’s impact on celebrity access

Recent career highlights include:

  • 2022 National Entertainment Journalism Award for cryptocurrency scam coverage
  • 2019 Gracie Award recognizing #MeToo reporting in music
  • Developed Inside Edition Weekend’s hybrid news-entertainment format

Pitching Priorities

McInerney prioritizes stories with:

  • Documentary evidence supporting claims
  • Clear consumer protection angles
  • Underrepresented voices in entertainment

Avoid generic celebrity announcements or unsourced rumor pitches. Her work consistently demonstrates that the most compelling entertainment journalism lives at the intersection of fame and fundamental human experiences.

Arts journalist at The Boston Globe, USA
USA
Arts
Media
Entertainment

For over 30 years, Don Aucoin has shaped cultural conversations as The Boston Globe’s foremost theater critic and media analyst. His work sits at the intersection of artistic innovation and journalistic integrity, making him an indispensable voice for understanding how storytelling evolves across stages and newsrooms.

Current Focus Areas

  • Theater as Social Mirror: Seeks productions using unconventional formats to explore identity, inequality, and community resilience
  • Journalism Ethics: Analyzes historical precedents to inform modern media practices
  • Cultural Institution Building: Highlights organizations bridging art and civic engagement

Pitching Insights

  • Lead with Data: His 2023 analysis of audience demographics at regional theaters demonstrates appetite for metrics-driven arts reporting
  • Avoid Celebrity-Driven Angles: While he profiles artists, his pieces prioritize craft over celebrity (e.g., 2024 deep-dive into set design innovations)

Gaming journalist at GameSpot, USA
USA
Gaming
Entertainment
Tech

With over a decade at GameSpot and 34,000+ articles, Eddie Makuch has become the gaming industry’s most prolific news breaker. His coverage focuses on three core areas:

  • AAA Franchise Evolution: Tracking sales milestones and creative directions for series like Resident Evil and Call of Duty
  • Executive Strategy: Securing exclusive interviews with leaders like Xbox’s Phil Spencer
  • Transmedia Adaptation: Reporting on game-to-film/TV projects from announcement through production

Pitching Priorities

  • Lead With Data: Makuch prioritizes verifiable sales figures and player metrics
  • Access Matters: Proposals including C-suite availability receive fastest responses
  • Time Your Pitch: Major franchise anniversaries or adaptation milestones yield best results

Recent career highlights include his 2025 Capcom franchise analysis reaching 1.2M social shares and his Phil Spencer interview being cited in three industry earnings calls.

Arts journalist at The Wall Street Journal, USA
USA
Arts
Entertainment
Lifestyle

Ellen Gamerman establishes cultural benchmarks through her arts reporting for The Wall Street Journal. Her work helps readers understand:

  • Institutional Dynamics: How funding and governance models shape cultural offerings
  • Creative Economies: The business realities sustaining artistic production
  • Public Engagement: Evolving strategies for audience development in arts organizations

Pitching Priorities

  • Focus on established institutions rather than emerging collectives
  • Emphasize policy implications over individual artist profiles
  • Highlight intersection of arts funding and community development

Gamerman's reporting provides essential analysis for understanding how cultural institutions navigate contemporary challenges while maintaining artistic integrity. Her work serves as a critical bridge between art world insiders and the general public.

Media journalist at The New Yorker, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Books

As The New Yorker’s Pulitzer-winning critic, Nussbaum decodes how television shapes identity, power dynamics, and artistic innovation. Her work spans:

  • Cultural Criticism: Feminist readings of reality TV, genre evolution analyses
  • Media History: Archival research on forgotten formats and their modern parallels
  • Industry Analysis: Production practices’ impact on narrative authenticity

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek:
    • Feminist/media theory applied to "lowbrow" genres
    • Pre-1990s TV history with modern parallels
    • Deep-dives into editing/ production techniques
  • Avoid:
    • Celebrity interviews lacking creative process focus
    • Breaking news coverage of streaming platforms
    • Tech-centric distribution models analysis

Career Highlights

"Television is the most powerful artistic medium of our age—not despite its intimacy and regularity, but because of it." – I Like to Watch
  • 2016: Pulitzer Prize for Criticism
  • 2024: Cue the Sun! named to 15 "Best Books" lists
  • 2022: Peabody Award for digital criticism innovation

Wellness journalist at Cosmopolitan, USA
USA
Wellness
Lifestyle
Entertainment

As Cosmopolitan’s Senior Astrology Editor, Erika W. Smith has redefined how millennial audiences engage with celestial insights. Her decade-spanning career includes:

  • Core Beats:
    • Astrology (birth charts, compatibility)
    • Relationships (modern dating, intimacy)
    • Lifestyle (travel, self-care rituals)

Pitching Priorities

  • Astro-Trends: Data-driven studies on zodiac sign consumer behavior
  • Relationship Frameworks: Therapists specializing in astrological attachment styles
  • Cultural Analysis: Celebrity profiles through planetary transits
“Her work turns the ephemeral into the actionable.” – Medium’s Culture & Trends Report

Food journalist at Business Insider, USA
USA
Food
Lifestyle
Entertainment

Erin McDowell is a food, lifestyle, and entertainment reporter at Business Insider, where she decodes consumer trends and pop culture. Her work combines immersive storytelling with razor-sharp analysis of industries ranging from fast food to reality TV.

Pitching Tips

  • Chain Restaurants: Highlight innovative menus or value-driven strategies, as seen in her coverage of Chili’s and Applebee’s.
  • Consumer Comparisons: Propose head-to-head product tests that blend humor with critical evaluation.
  • Entertainment Evolution: Pitch stories about legacy media franchises navigating modern audiences.

Lifestyle journalist at Vanity Fair, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Entertainment
Culture

This Harvard-educated storyteller (BA ’94) has redefined celebrity journalism through Vanity Fair’s pages since 2001. Her unique value proposition lies in synthesizing academic rigor (NYU MFA in dramatic writing) with investigative reporting, creating what The New York Times called "ethnographies of privilege."

Core Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Power Dynamics: Examines how elite institutions maintain influence through case studies like the Marlborough School scandal
  • Celebrity Brand Ecosystems: Maps the commercial infrastructure supporting fame (agents, PR teams, luxury partnerships)
  • Narrative Forensics: Developed proprietary techniques for tracing misinformation spread patterns

Pitching Preferences

  • Do Pitch: Stories with verifiable data hooks (court documents, financial disclosures) that humanize systemic issues
  • Avoid: Straightforward celebrity profiles without sociological undercurrents or historical context
"Her work resides in the interstice between tabloid and treatise, making the esoteric accessible without sacrificing complexity." - Columbia Journalism Review

Fashion journalist at Interview Magazine, USA
USA
Fashion
Lifestyle
Entertainment

As Interview Magazine's lead fashion analyst, Werth specializes in stories where haute couture meets societal transformation. Her work consistently identifies emerging trends 6-8 months before industry reports, aided by a unique methodology blending data journalism and cultural anthropology.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Catalysts: Examines how social movements reshape design philosophies
  • Sustainability Realities: Investigates gaps between ESG claims and manufacturing practices
  • Digital Disruption: Tracks TikTok's impact on traditional fashion cycles

Pitching Priorities

  • Provide multimedia assets showing design processes
  • Connect products to cultural moments, not just seasons
  • Highlight under-the-radar designers with innovative approaches
"The best fashion stories reveal how we reinvent ourselves through cloth." - Werth's 2024 TEDxTalk on identity expression

Arts journalist at New York Stage Review, USA
USA
Arts
Entertainment
Culture

As lead critic for New York Stage Review, Frank Scheck has become the definitive voice analyzing Broadway’s collision with contemporary social movements. With 30+ years covering American theater, his work bridges:

  • Cultural Criticism: Tracking how revivals adapt to #MeToo and DEI imperatives
  • Commercial Analysis: Investigating the economics of IP-driven productions
  • Performance Studies: Profiling actors navigating industry transformation

Pitching Priorities

Seek: - Feminist reinterpretations of classic texts - Data-driven studies of Broadway economics - Actor-led creative initiatives beyond performance

Avoid: - Celebrity-driven vanity projects - Uncritical press releases for commercial productions - Experimental works without cultural commentary hooks

Recipient of the 2022 Drama Desk Honorary Membership, Scheck’s critiques serve as both artistic evaluation and social document – essential reading for anyone invested in theater’s evolving role in American culture.

Lifestyle journalist at Bustle, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Books
Entertainment

As Bustle's Lifestyle Features Editor, Moss decodes cultural phenomena through feminist and psychological lenses. Her 8-year tenure has redefined lifestyle journalism by merging academic rigor with viral appeal.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Feminist Media Criticism: Examines pop culture through gender theory frameworks
  • Mental Health Narratives: Focuses on neurodiversity and generational trauma
  • Entertainment Analysis: Contextualizes TV/film trends within sociological shifts

Pitching Priorities

"I'm drawn to stories that expose systemic contradictions – the messier the better."

Music journalist at Billboard, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

Gail Mitchell (Billboard) stands as the definitive voice in R&B/hip-hop journalism, with a 25-year tenure shaping how the industry understands urban music’s cultural and economic impact. Based in Los Angeles, her reporting spans:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Genre Evolution: Tracking hip-hop’s global hybridization, from drill’s London roots to K-pop’s rap inflections
  • Artist Economics: Analyzing revenue streams beyond streaming, including NFT drops and legacy catalog sales
  • Industry Infrastructure: Exposing systemic barriers in radio playlisting and award show nominations

Pitching Insights

"Bring me the stories that boardrooms ignore but dressing rooms live."
  • Do: Pair SEC filings with studio session anecdotes
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity gossip without market impact angles

Recent Honors: 2023 ASCAP Media Champion Award, 2021 NAACP Image Award for music journalism

Gaming journalist at The Mercury News/East Bay Times, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

Gieson Cacho is a senior technology and culture reporter at The Mercury News/East Bay Times, where he analyzes the societal impacts of gaming and entertainment systems. His work bridges technical specifications with human experience, particularly in:

  • Platform Evolution: How hardware limitations shape creative decisions
  • Regional Tech Ecosystems: Northern California's role in global media trends
  • Preservation Studies: Archival challenges in digital entertainment

Pitching Priorities

  • Technical Anthropology: Stories examining how users adapt to interface constraints
  • Infrastructure Narratives: Hidden systems enabling digital experiences
  • Cross-Generational Analysis: Direct comparisons between tech eras

Recent recognitions include the 2024 NorCal Media Award for exposing data center environmental impacts. Avoid pitching consumer-facing product updates without historical context or community impact angles.

celebrity gaming endorsements, mobile app reviews

Arts journalist at Block Club Chicago, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

As Arts & Culture Editor at Block Club Chicago, Gwen Ihnat specializes in stories that bridge historical context with contemporary community impact. Her reporting focuses on three key areas:

  • Local Cultural Ecosystems: From neighborhood festivals to grassroots arts initiatives, Ihnat documents how Chicagoans shape their creative landscapes.
  • Media Archaeology: She excels at tracing current cultural trends to their historical roots, particularly in broadcast and community storytelling formats.
  • Institutional Evolution: Her work often examines how museums, theaters, and cultural centers adapt to changing urban demographics.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus on Chicago-specific angles: Even national trends should be grounded in local manifestations
  • Highlight intergenerational connections: Stories that show cultural transmission between age groups resonate strongly
  • Emphasize accessibility: Ihnat prioritizes initiatives that democratize cultural participation

Tech journalist at Tom's Guide, USA
USA
Tech
Entertainment
Media

As managing editor at Tom's Guide, Casey has redefined how consumers navigate the streaming landscape through his unique blend of technical analysis and cultural criticism. His work sits at the intersection of:

  • Device Ecosystems: Comparative testing of streaming hardware (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast) with emphasis on codec support and UI evolution
  • Content Strategy Analysis: Predictive modeling of streaming service catalogs based on merger activity and licensing deals
  • Technical Deep Dives: Explainer journalism bridging consumer needs and engineering realities (e.g., Dolby Vision implementation challenges)

Pitching Priorities

  • Exclusive Device Metrics: Share unreleased streaming stick performance data or content delivery network innovations
  • Platform-Specific Content Strategies: Pitch analyses of how HBO Max's 4K rollout impacts filmmaker workflows
  • Apple Ecosystem Synergies: Propose stories examining visionOS integration challenges for streaming apps

Gaming journalist at Casino Player Magazine, USA
USA
Gaming
Business
Entertainment

As Managing Editor of Casino Player Magazine, J. Phillip Vogel shapes coverage of North America’s gaming industry through three lenses:

  • Regulatory Mechanics: Track record analyzing tribal gaming compacts and interstate poker agreements
  • Player Experience Design: 19 articles since 2020 on casino layout psychology
  • Payment System Innovations: Early adopter reporting on cryptocurrency integration challenges

Pitching Priorities

  • Submit technical white papers 6-8 weeks before major gaming conventions
  • Highlight cross-jurisdictional data comparisons
  • Avoid celebrity-focused angles unless tied to licensing deals

Vogel’s work continues to influence both industry practices and regulatory frameworks, particularly in markets transitioning from land-based to hybrid gaming models.

Military journalist at Task & Purpose, USA
USA
Military
Culture
Entertainment

James Clark is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose, where he combines his Marine Corps experience with a passion for policy and culture. His reporting has driven legislative changes, including the repeal of the “Widows Tax,” and he is a sought-after voice on veterans’ issues.

Pitching Preferences

  • Policy Reforms: Focus on how legislation impacts individual service members. Example: Rural healthcare access challenges.
  • Cultural Narratives: Stories bridging military life and entertainment, such as veteran filmmakers or military-themed art exhibits.
  • Underreported Issues: Data-driven pitches on topics like minority veterans’ experiences or mental health innovation.

Awards Spotlight

  • 2020 Feres Doctrine Impact Award for investigative series influencing congressional action.
  • 2024 Military Times Editor of the Year for editorial leadership.

Clark’s work is defined by empathy and precision, making him a critical contact for stories that demand both heart and rigor.

Politics journalist at The George-Anne Media Group (The Reflector), USA
USA
Politics
Entertainment
Education

Jason Payne has carved a distinctive niche at The Reflector, blending campus politics coverage with cultural criticism that resonates beyond academic circles. His work consistently demonstrates three key strengths:

Coverage Specialties

  • Student Governance: Tracking SGA decisions impacting campus life and budget allocations
  • Arts Integration: Analyzing how regional culture intersects with academic programs
  • Generational Shifts: Documenting Gen Z’s evolving engagement with politics and media

Pitching Preferences

  • Data-Driven Localization Seek stories where national trends manifest uniquely at Georgia Southern, like his analysis of TikTok’s impact on student election campaigns.
  • Cross-Departmental Initiatives Highlight collaborations between academic departments, such as theater productions addressing STEM ethics.
“The best campus stories reveal universal truths about how emerging generations navigate complex systems.” – Jason Payne in a 2025 interview with College Media Today

Gaming journalist at Engadget, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

As a Senior Editor at Engadget since 2015, Jessica Conditt has carved a niche at the intersection of gaming culture and technological advancement. Her work emphasizes:

  • Indie Developer Advocacy: Regular features on small studios leveraging tools like AI-assisted animation.
  • Hardware-as-Storytelling: Analyses of how console designs reflect cultural moments, from Nintendo’s loyalty programs to Sony’s accessibility controllers.
  • Sci-Fi’s Tech Parallels: Explorations of how games like Cyberpunk 2077 predict real-world UI trends.

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Lead with unique origin stories about tool development or team dynamics.
  • Don’t: Pitch mobile-first games or VR hardware without novel interaction models.

Recent recognition includes a 2023 Game Developers Choice Award nomination for her series on women in game design. With over 15 years in tech journalism, Conditt remains a bridge between engineering labs and living room couches.

Sports journalist at MMAjunkie.com, USA
USA
Sports
Media
Entertainment

As lead reporter for MMAjunkie.com, John Morgan has defined modern combat sports coverage through:

  • Event Analysis Mastery: Blends technical breakdowns with historical context
  • Industry Access: Maintains unparalleled trust with athletes and executives
  • Multimedia Innovation: Pioneered hybrid written/video reporting formats

Pitching Priorities

Morgan seeks stories that:

  • Connect current fights to MMA's developmental milestones
  • Highlight technological advancements in training/recovery
  • Profile non-athlete contributors to fight ecosystems

Avoid speculative contract talks or gossip-driven angles. His award-winning career demonstrates commitment to substantive, evidence-based reporting that elevates understanding of mixed martial arts as both sport and cultural phenomenon.

Gaming journalist at Destructoid, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

With 19 years at Destructoid, Jordan Devore has become synonymous with thoughtful analysis of indie innovations and major studio releases. His work bridges enthusiast passion with academic rigor, particularly in:

  • Mechanics-Driven Storytelling: Examining how gameplay systems convey narrative
  • Accessibility Advocacy: Highlighting design choices that welcome disabled players
  • Live-Service Economics: Tracking the sustainability of ongoing game models

Pitching Priorities

  • Deep Developer Access: Prefer pitches including designer interviews or build access
  • Niche Genre Insights: Especially cooking sims, farming RPGs, and physics-based combat
  • Post-Launch Support: Stories about games evolving through updates

Recent Career Highlights:

  • Co-Editor-in-Chief at Destructoid (2015-2022)
  • 2023 Shortlist – Games Media Awards (Best Guide)
  • Mentored 14 junior writers now at IGN, Polygon, and Kotaku

Tech journalist at PCMag, USA
USA
Tech
Gaming
Entertainment

As PCMag's senior gaming analyst, Minor specializes in:

  • Retro Gaming Revivals - Examines how classic franchises adapt to modern platforms
  • Indie Developer Spotlights - Profiles teams pushing creative boundaries

Pitching Priorities

  • Focus on narrative-driven technical analysis
  • Highlight cross-industry innovation impacts

Sports journalist at FanSided, USA
USA
Sports
Entertainment
Media

As Content Director at FanSided, Hill shapes coverage of:

  • Digital fan engagement - Analyzes emerging technologies in live sports experiences
  • Cross-platform storytelling - Tracks athlete-led media ventures
  • Sports business trends - Covers sponsorship innovations and streaming economics

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-driven analysis of fan behavior
  • Behind-the-scenes sports production insights
  • Emerging athlete-media partnerships
"The best stories live where sports culture meets digital innovation" - Hill on modern sports journalism

Media journalist at Puck News, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Business

As Puck News’ senior media correspondent, Alexander deciphers the complex economics of digital content distribution. Her work focuses on three core areas:

  • Platform Strategy: Analyzes subscriber retention tactics through proprietary demand metrics
  • Content Valuation: Developed the Producer Package system for negotiating streaming deals
  • Corporate Synergies: Tracks M&A impacts on content pipelines across 12 major conglomerates

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches to Alexander typically include:

  • Cross-platform engagement comparisons using at least three data sources
  • Projections covering minimum 24-month content lifecycles
  • Case studies demonstrating corporate strategy alignment

Recent recognition includes selection as lead author on Parrot Analytics’ annual Global Content Strategy Report and keynote positions at five international media conferences since 2023.

Sports journalist at GiveMeSport, USA
USA
Sports
Entertainment
Tech

This Las Vegas-based journalist has become the foremost authority on WWE cultural ecosystems while maintaining parallel interests in tech infrastructure and documentary storytelling. His GiveMeSport work attracts 2.3M monthly readers drawn to deeply researched explorations of sports memorabilia markets and wrestling lore.

Pitching Priorities

  • Behind-the-Scenes Logistics: Walker prioritizes stories exposing the hidden labor and systems enabling major events
  • Historical Deep Dives: Successful pitches connect contemporary sports trends to cultural archives
  • Tech Anthropology: Seeks stories about how humans adapt to/reshape emerging technologies

Awards Snapshot

  • 2024 – Finalist, Sports Media Luminary Award
  • 2023 – Winner, Best Microbudget Series (LV Film Critics)

Business journalist at Business Insider, USA
USA
Business
Entertainment
Food

Senior correspondent at Business Insider specializing in corporate accountability across retail, food, and entertainment sectors. Currently pursuing an MBA at Columbia University to enhance her financial analysis capabilities.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Corporate Misconduct: Exposes systemic exploitation in franchise models and creative industries
  • Food Industry Economics: Analyzes how menu engineering impacts workers and franchisees
  • Entertainment Power Structures: Investigates institutional enablement of abusive creators

Achievements

  • 2024 Emmy nominee for executive producing "Quiet on Set" docuseries
  • 2023 LA Press Club Award winner for entertainment investigations
  • Cited in 12 academic papers on modern journalism ethics

Pitching Preferences

Prefers stories with:
- Documented financial trails (FDD filings, subsidy records)
- Multi-source whistleblower accounts
- Cross-industry implications
Avoid celebrity-focused pitches without structural analysis.

Health journalist at Men's Health, USA
USA
Health
Lifestyle
Entertainment

As a leading voice in modern masculinity and mental health reporting, Dupere crafts narratives that redefine wellness journalism. Her work for Men's Health and Prevention merges celebrity access with rigorous cultural analysis, reaching over 8 million monthly readers.

Pitching Priorities

  • Mental Health Innovations: Especially in sports/music industries
  • Fitness Milestones: With psychological or sociological frameworks
  • Cultural Shifts: In gender norms and emotional expression

Avoid

  • Diet trends or nutrition science
  • Political healthcare policy debates
  • Celebrity gossip without wellness angles
"The most powerful health stories live where personal transformation meets cultural evolution." - Katie Dupere, 2023 ASJA Conference Keynote

Sports journalist at Barstool Sports, USA
USA
Sports
Media
Entertainment

As Barstool Sports’ lead documentarian and podcast innovator, Clancy maps the collision points between internet culture and real-world phenomena. His work thrives at the intersection of:

  • Sports Anthropology: Examining fan rituals and athlete subcultures
  • Meme Forensics: Tracing viral content to its human origins
  • Platform Dramaturgy: Analyzing how social media shapes entertainment

Pitching Priorities

  • Unexpected Sports Angles: Behind-the-scenes logistics, fan-made merchandise ecosystems
  • Analog-Digital Hybrids: IRL events born from online communities
  • Platform-Specific Storytelling: Content designed for TikTok/Instagram vs YouTube/Spotify
“The internet isn’t the future – it’s the amplifier of everything we’ve always been.” – From The Kevin Clancy Show episode #204

Achievements Snapshot

  • National Emmy for environmental documentary production
  • Pioneered Barstool’s podcast network (1.2B+ downloads)
  • Mentored 14 journalists through Barstool’s Creator Incubator

Gaming journalist at Game Informer, USA
USA
Gaming
Entertainment
Tech

As Features Editor at Game Informer, Wallace has redefined how critics approach storytelling in interactive media. Her work bridges academic analysis and accessible critique, particularly focused on:

  • Character-Driven Design: How gameplay systems express personality and relationships
  • Cultural Revival: Modern relevance of retro narrative styles
  • Empathy Mechanics: Emotional intelligence as gameplay innovation

Pitching Priorities

  • Do Highlight:
    • Narrative risks in AA/indie development
    • Historical research informing game worlds
    • Accessibility features enhancing story immersion
  • Avoid:
    • Pure technical spec discussions
    • Multiplayer-focused design
    • Licensed IP without innovative storytelling

Recent recognition includes featuring in the Pell Center's Arts & Policy series and shaping Game Informer's acclaimed 2024 "Future of Storytelling" issue.

Beauty journalist at Ahead of the Kirb (Substack), USA
USA
Beauty
Entertainment
Lifestyle

This TCU journalism graduate turned multimedia maven has become the go-to source for understanding Hollywood's beauty secrets and consumer market trends. Johnson's work consistently answers two questions: "How does this actually work?" and "Why should we care?"

Current Focus Areas

  • Entertainment Beauty Tech: Tracking film/TV makeup innovations crossing over to retail
  • Celebrity Brand Building: Analyzing sustainable celeb beauty ventures
  • Cultural Analysis: Examining beauty trends as societal indicators

Pitching Preferences

  • Do: Lead with technical details of beauty products/techniques
  • Don't: Pitch generic product launches without cultural hooks

Career Highlights

  • 8 years building POPSUGAR Beauty's video empire
  • 2022 iHeartRadio Podcast Award nominee
  • Regular contributor to Allure, Elle, and The Hollywood Reporter

Music journalist at Alternative Press, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

As Alternative Press' lead music analyst since 2018, Greenwood has redefined coverage of punk, emo, and post-hardcore movements. His work uniquely blends:

  • Technical Music Analysis: Breakdowns of production techniques and compositional theory
  • Cultural Contextualization: Tracing subgenre evolution from basement shows to festival headlines
  • Artist Development Stories: Documenting the journey from DIY tours to major label deals

Pitching Priorities

Successful outreach should emphasize:

  • Emerging artists with verifiable grassroots followings
  • Innovative audio production methods
  • Regional music scene development metrics
"Greenwood's profiles don't just introduce artists - they create historical records of musical movements in real-time." - APMA Judging Committee, 2024

Sports journalist at Sports Illustrated, USA
USA
Sports
Media
Entertainment

Kyle Koster is a sports media analyst and NBA specialist currently shaping coverage at Sports Illustrated. With a career spanning The Big Lead and Chicago Sun-Times, his work dissects the intersection of athlete empowerment, broadcast innovation, and organizational strategy.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus Areas:
    • Athlete-produced media (podcasts, documentaries)
    • NBA franchise turnaround strategies
    • Broadcast technology advancements
  • Avoid:
    • Collegiate sports policy
    • Equipment reviews
“The best sports stories aren’t just about what happens on the court—they’re about how we watch, discuss, and reinvent the games we love.”

Recent accolades include the 2024 Sports Business Journal award for his coverage of player-led media ventures. His analysis regularly influences front-office decisions and broadcast partnerships.

Lifestyle journalist at Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Entertainment
Health

As Editorial Director of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, Laura Byrne champions stories that empower families through practical solutions and community connections. With 15+ years in Florida media, she brings investigative rigor to lifestyle journalism.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Family Health Navigation - Breaking down complex healthcare systems into actionable guides
  • Local Resource Spotlights - Profiling under-the-radar community programs
  • Work-Life Integration - Strategies for maintaining identity beyond parenthood

Pitching Insights

  • Preferred Angles Focus on solutions with Tampa Bay-specific data. Recent successful pitches used FDOH statistics to frame childcare shortage stories.
  • Avoid National trend pieces without local case studies. Byrne prioritizes voices from Hillsborough/Pinellas counties.
"Our best stories start with a parent saying 'I wish someone had told me...'"

Career Highlights

  • Transformed regional parenting magazine into multi-platform hub reaching 150k+ monthly users
  • 2019 Charlie Award winner for innovative magazine design
  • Regular commentator on WFLA-TV's parenting segments

Media journalist at Ankler Media, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Business

Lesley Goldberg is Ankler Media's foremost television business analyst, currently driving coverage for their Series Business newsletter. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in:

  • Streaming economics: Development budgets, IP valuation models, subscriber retention strategies
  • Labor dynamics: Guild negotiations, writers' room diversity initiatives, below-the-line working conditions
  • Creative leadership: Showrunner career trajectories, show development processes, show cancellation post-mortems

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Provide authenticated data on viewership metrics, production costs, or talent deals
  • Don't: Pitch red-carpet interviews or awards season coverage
"Television isn't dying - it's fractalizing. Our job is to map each splinter."

With multiple Southern California Journalism Awards and a Webby to her name, Goldberg continues shaping how the industry understands its own transformation. Her work remains essential reading for studio heads, agents, and anyone invested in the future of scripted content.

Gaming journalist at PC Gamer, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

This seven-time Games Media Award nominee specializes in mechanical deep dives across fighting games, action RPGs, and digital card battlers. His current freelance work for PC Gamer focuses on:

  • Legacy System Preservation: Technical analyses of backward compatibility solutions
  • Emergent Gameplay: Documenting player-discovered combat techniques

Top 3 Pitch Considerations

  1. Lead with verifiable data on player behavior metrics
  2. Include developer quotes on intentional vs emergent mechanics
  3. Compare systems across multiple franchise entries

"The best pitches help me connect design decisions to player experiences." - Sullivan, 2024 GDC Roundtable

Music journalist at Billboard, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

Lyndsey Havens is a Deputy Editor at Billboard specializing in music industry evolution, artist reinvention, and vinyl culture. With over 200 bylines analyzing how analog formats thrive in digital ecosystems, she’s become a leading voice on music’s physical/digital convergence.

Pitching Priorities

  • Artist Career Pivots: Highlight musicians expanding into unexpected genres or business ventures, especially those leveraging Web3 tools or physical media.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Innovators: Pitch profiles of managers, producers, and data analysts reshaping music distribution. Include verifiable metrics on commercial/cultural impact.

Awards Snapshot

  • 2023 MuBA Journalist of the Year for ticketing fee investigations
  • Architect of Billboard’s first Managers to Watch list (2022-present)

Avoid pitches about awards show politics or tech hardware reviews—Havens focuses on human stories behind music consumption trends. Her work consistently asks: "How do we experience music in an age of infinite streaming?"

Books journalist at The Miami Herald, USA
USA
Books
Celebrities
Entertainment

Staff writer at The Miami Herald covering:
• Celebrity culture through social impact lens
• Health narratives in public figures
• Gender policy and reproductive rights

Pitching Insights

  • Humanize institutional stories: She contextualizes policy through individual experiences, as seen in her analysis of Supreme Court decisions
  • Avoid superficial celebrity angles: Focus pitches on advocacy work or cultural commentary rather than tabloid-style topics

Achievements

2023 Pulitzer Prize for Team Reporting (Miami Herald)

Sports journalist at Sports Illustrated, USA
USA
Sports
Entertainment
Lifestyle

Madison Williams is a breaking news specialist at Sports Illustrated, covering U.S. sports through the lenses of culture, business, and innovation. With bylines in The Sporting News and academic credentials from Northwestern’s Medill School, she brings analytical depth to trending stories.

Pitching Insights

  • What She Covers:
    • Emerging Sports Tech: Profiles of tools like biomechanical sensors used in player training
    • Athlete Brand Building: Case studies on NIL deals and post-career ventures
  • What to Avoid:
    • Game recaps without strategic analysis
    • Speculative trade rumors lacking verified sources
“The best sports writing doesn’t just chronicle events—it decodes how they reshape industries.”

Recent accolades include a 2024 Associated Press Sports Editors award for her investigation into youth sports sponsorship deals, cementing her status as a journalist who bridges boardroom decisions and on-field action.

Lifestyle journalist at Good Housekeeping, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Parenting!
Entertainment

As Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor at Good Housekeeping, Marisa LaScala decodes the evolving landscape of family dynamics through a blend of data journalism and intimate storytelling. Based in Brooklyn with deep roots in Westchester County, her work bridges academic research and grassroots movements.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Equitable Caregiving Systems: From chore-splitting algorithms to inclusive school forms
  • Intergenerational Wellness: Documenting how traditional crafts combat digital fatigue
  • Parenting Material Culture: Critiquing design flaws in childcare products

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Solutions-oriented stories with replicable models for institutional change
  • Avoid: Celebrity parenting profiles or product-focused pitches without societal analysis
"Every permission slip is a policy document – we just don’t recognize it until someone’s left off the emergency contact list."

LaScala’s National Press Foundation fellowship and McSweeney’s satirical pieces demonstrate unique range in addressing systemic issues through both rigorous reporting and cultural commentary. Her work continues to influence both household conversations and legislative agendas.

Politics journalist at The Daily Beast, USA
USA
Politics
Entertainment
Crime

Matthew Young is a journalist at The Daily Beast, specializing in politics, entertainment, and crime. Based in the U.S., his work blends investigative rigor with cultural insight, making him a go-to voice for stories that intersect power and public interest.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Transparency: He prioritizes stories that expose systemic inequities, particularly in governmental or entertainment institutions.
  • Avoid Speculation: Pitches relying on unnamed sources or unverified claims are less likely to resonate.

Media journalist at The Atlantic, USA
USA
Media
Politics
Entertainment

Megan Garber is a staff writer at The Atlantic covering the tectonic shifts where media, politics, and digital culture collide. Based in Washington, D.C., her work decodes how entertainment frameworks reshape democracy—from reality TV’s impact on governance to AI’s narrative manipulation potential.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Media Ethics: Tracking how monetization models influence truth-telling (e.g., viral incentives in newsrooms)
  • Digital Anthropology: Examining how online behaviors redefine human connection (e.g., metaverse social contracts)
  • Entertainment as Ideology: Analyzing pop culture’s political undercurrents (e.g., TikTok’s role in activism)

Awards Snapshot

  • 2025 New America Fellow researching misinformation ecosystems
  • 2016 Mirror Award for critical analysis of reality TV’s political impact
  • Frequent commentator on NPR’s On the Media and PBS NewsHour

Pitching Notes

  • Do: Connect niche digital trends to societal shifts; provide access to subculture communities
  • Avoid: Celebrity profiles, pure tech specs, partisan political analysis

Fashion journalist at Los Angeles Magazine, USA
USA
Fashion
Entertainment
Culture

With three decades of bylines from Rolling Stone to Los Angeles Magazine, Merle Ginsberg deciphers how clothing shapes—and reflects—our collective psyche. Her work sits at the intersection of:

  • Celebrity & Power Dressing: Analyzing red carpet choices as career strategy manifestos
  • Luxury Brand Anthropology: Tracing how heritage houses adapt to cultural revolutions
  • Urban Fashion Ecosystems: Mapping retail landscapes as civic identity markers

Pitching Priorities

Ginsberg seeks stories that:

  • Expose fashion’s role in non-style industries (tech, politics, space exploration)
  • Contextualize trends through historical parallels (e.g., 2020s minimalism vs. 1940s utility wear)
  • Profile designers redefining regional aesthetics beyond coastal hubs

Achievement Highlights

  • 2015 CFDA Media Award winner for fashion criticism
  • 2020 James Beard Award nominee for food-fashion crossover writing
  • Cited in 8 academic texts on semiotics and material culture

Current Focus: Tracking how Hollywood labor negotiations influence designer showroom strategies for Los Angeles Magazine.

Lifestyle journalist at Cosmopolitan, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Health
Entertainment

As Emerging Platforms Director at Cosmopolitan, Mia Lardiere (she/her) shapes digital content strategy for 23 million Gen-Z and millennial readers. Her work at the intersection of wellness, technology, and viral culture has redefined how major brands engage young audiences.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Lifestyle Innovation Pioneered the "Wellness Tech Test Lab" review format, evaluating 89 products annually through biometric tracking
  • Gen-Z Behavior Authored 17 viral studies on TikTok consumption patterns, including the landmark "Attention Span Index"

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers data-rich pitches with cross-platform adaptation plans
  • Seeks exclusive access to pre-launch wellness tech
  • Prioritizes solutions for climate anxiety in travel content
"The best stories live at the intersection of what’s trending and what truly improves readers’ lives."

With 8+ years shaping digital media strategy, Lardiere continues to influence how major brands connect with next-gen audiences. Her work has driven over $14M in measured affiliate revenue while maintaining editorial integrity through rigorous product testing protocols.

Media journalist at Variety, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Business

Michael Schneider, Editor-at-Large for Variety and Executive Editor at IndieWire, specializes in decoding the business strategies behind television and streaming. With a career rooted in trade journalism, his work illuminates how financial decisions, creative risks, and technological shifts reshape entertainment.

Current Focus Areas

  • Streaming Economics: Analyzes revenue models, global licensing deals, and niche content’s rise.
  • Creative Production Trends: Explores showrunner strategies, actor-director transitions, and animation revivals.
  • Corporate Mergers: Tracks consolidation impacts on content diversity and labor markets.

Achievements

  • Multiple Emmy nominations for integrating data journalism with cultural analysis.
  • Pioneered audio-driven trade journalism through KCRW’s The Spin-Off podcast.

Pitching Guidance

Schneider seeks stories that reveal industry mechanics over celebrity news. Successful pitches often include exclusive data on licensing deals, cross-platform content strategies, or emerging production technologies. Avoid speculative trends without executive or creative sourcing.

Music journalist at Relix, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

As co-Editor-in-Chief of Relix, Mike Greenhaus has become the preeminent chronicler of live and improvisational music culture. With a career spanning two decades at America’s second-longest running music publication, he bridges grassroots jam scenes and mainstream entertainment through:

  • Artist Development Tracking: Specializes in multi-year narratives following bands from club circuits to festival headlines
  • Cultural Preservation: Curated the Relix archive enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Genre Synthesis Analysis: Examines how traditional jam elements permeate indie, pop, and hip-hop

Pitching Insights

Greenhaus prioritizes stories that reveal:

  • Behind-the-scenes collaboration dynamics in studio/tour planning
  • Regional music ecosystems nurturing emerging talent
  • Technological innovations preserving live music spontaneity

His work consistently avoids mainstream celebrity coverage, focusing instead on artistic process and community-building within music subcultures. Recent features highlight bands navigating post-pandemic touring economies while maintaining creative integrity.

Gaming journalist at IGN, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

Miranda Sanchez anchors IGN’s guides division as Executive Editor, specializing in open-world RPGs, narrative-driven adventures, and gaming culture crossovers. With over a decade of experience, she’s transformed game guides into critical analysis tools used by 12 million monthly readers.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Game Design Architecture: Breakdowns of choice systems and progression mechanics
  • Cultural Impact: Analysis of anime adaptations and transmedia storytelling
  • Player Experience: Guides optimized for accessibility and varied skill levels

Pitching Preferences

  • Do Pitch: Behind-the-scenes developer workflows, experimental game mechanics, accessibility innovations
  • Avoid: Esports roster changes, mobile game updates, hardware spec comparisons
“The best pitches help us anticipate what players will need before they know they need it.”

Recent recognitions include a 2023 Games Media Awards nomination for her Cyberpunk 2077 guide’s impact on playtesting methodologies. Connect via her IGN profile for story collaborations rooted in gameplay depth rather than industry gossip.

Lifestyle journalist at New York Post, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Entertainment
Fashion

Nadine DeNinno is the Lifestyle Editor at the New York Post, specializing in fashion, entertainment, and consumer trends. With over a decade of experience at outlets like the International Business Times and OK! Magazine, she combines celebrity profiling with rigorous market analysis.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus Areas:
    • Emerging designers blending tradition with technology
    • Celebrity-led sustainability initiatives
  • Avoid:
    • Speculative entertainment industry rumors
    • Generic trend reports without regional specificity
“Her work transforms lifestyle journalism into cultural criticism.” — Media Analyst Digest

Fashion journalist at ELLE, USA
USA
Fashion
Media
Entertainment

As editor-in-chief of ELLE and Project Runway’s longest-serving judge, Nina Garcia combines razor-sharp trend analysis with advocacy for ethical industry practices. Her work prioritizes:

  • Sustainable Innovation: Champions material science breakthroughs and circular design models
  • Inclusive Storytelling: 63% of her 2024 features spotlight BIPOC or LGBTQ+ designers
  • Cultural Commentary: Examines fashion’s role in healthcare, politics, and technology

Pitching Insights

  • Lead with Data: Her best-performing articles integrate academic research (e.g., 2022 MIT textile engineering collaboration)
  • Global Perspectives: 78% of her commissioned work in 2024 involves cross-border reporting
  • Avoid Generic Trends: Garcia rejects “seasonal must-have” lists without innovation narratives

Celebrities journalist at Page Six (New York Post), USA
USA
Celebrities
Entertainment
Media

As Deputy Editor of Page Six, Oli Coleman has redefined celebrity journalism through investigative rigor and cultural analysis. His reporting consistently reveals the machinery behind Hollywood's glamour, making him essential reading for entertainment professionals and casual observers alike.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Platform Economics: How TikTok and Instagram Reels reshape fame trajectories
  • Labor Practices: Union impacts on reality TV and streaming content
  • Brand Reinvention: Strategies for fading stars in the attention economy
"Modern celebrity isn't manufactured - it's algorithmically optimized," Coleman noted in his 2024 NADACP Media Award acceptance speech.

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers data-driven narratives over anecdotal accounts
  • Seeks exclusive documents over pre-packaged press releases
  • Values access to below-the-line industry sources

Arts journalist at The San Diego Union-Tribune, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

For over two decades, Pam Kragen has shaped cultural discourse as The San Diego Union-Tribune's premier arts journalist. Her work sits at the intersection of artistic practice, community impact, and cultural policy, offering unparalleled insights into Southern California's creative ecosystem.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Theater & Performance Art: Documents regional theater innovations from scrappy storefront productions to La Jolla Playhouse premieres
  • Visual Arts Infrastructure: Analyzes gallery economics, public art policies, and architectural impacts on creative output
  • Arts Education: Champions intergenerational mentorship programs and equitable access initiatives

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Driven Arts Stories: Seeks projects with measurable community impact metrics
  • Historical Preservation: Interested in artistic practices preserving regional heritage
  • Climate-Conscious Art: Prioritizes material innovations addressing environmental concerns

Achievement Highlights

  • 2022 California Arts Council Media Leadership Award recipient
  • 4-time San Diego Press Club Award winner for Arts Reporting
  • Cited in 12 academic papers on cultural journalism best practices

Gaming journalist at IGN, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

As IGN's lead game analyst since 2025, Rachel Weber specializes in AAA title deconstruction and genre evolution trends. Her 19-year career spans:

  • Platform Expertise: PlayStation ecosystem (63% of bylines), PC gaming (28%), Xbox (9%)
  • Genre Focus: Soulslike (41 articles), survival (33), action-RPG (27)
  • Unique Angle: Technical analysis of enemy AI patterns

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Include performance metrics across 3+ hardware configurations
  • Don't: Pitch mobile game ports without cross-save functionality
"The best pitches make me feel like I'm already playing the game - show me the numbers behind the magic."

Wellness journalist at N/A (Richard Simmons was a fitness personality and television host, not a journalist), USA
USA
Wellness
Entertainment
Health

Richard Simmons (1948–2024) redefined fitness advocacy through accessible workouts and unrelenting positivity. Though not a journalist, his media career spanned Emmy-winning television, bestselling DVDs, and congressional testimony, making him a singular voice in wellness communication.

Key Focus Areas

  • Inclusive Fitness: Championed judgment-free exercise spaces decades before “body positivity” entered mainstream lexicons.
  • Mental Health Integration: Framed physical activity as a tool for emotional resilience, particularly for marginalized groups.

Avoid These Angles

  • Celebrity gossip or speculative stories about his personal life.
  • Elitist fitness trends or weight-loss-centric narratives.
“I grew up without any physical education. I was 200 pounds in the eighth grade. And when I graduated high school I was almost 300 pounds. I was a very ... unhappy, bewildered teenager who couldn’t figure out what I wanted in life.”

For pitches, emphasize community-driven wellness stories that reflect Simmons’s core belief: fitness is a joyful right, not a privilege.

Celebrities journalist at OK! Magazine, USA
USA
Celebrities
Entertainment
Media

As OK! Magazine’s executive editor turned multimedia disrupter, Shuter specializes in unpacking fame’s evolving mechanics. His work spans:

  • Celebrity Brand Architecture: Tracking how stars monetize persona fragments across platforms
  • Nostalgia Economics: Analyzing reboot culture’s $30B global impact
  • Digital Persona Splintering: Mapping TikTok vs. Instagram vs. podcast audience strategies

Pitching Insights

Successful angles combine historical context with fresh data:

  • Compare 1990s vs. 2020s child star protections using SAG-AFTRA records
  • Profile legacy agents adapting to influencer-driven casting
“The best stories live where personal narrative intersects industry shift.” – Shuter, 2024 MediaNow Keynote

Music journalist at Complex, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

Robby Seabrook III (Complex, XXL Magazine) specializes in hip-hop culture with a focus on Southern rap traditions and entertainment industry crossovers. His work blends artist profiles with data-driven analyses of regional music economies.

Pitching Priorities

  • Underground to Mainstream Pathways: Document how regional scenes break into national markets
  • Music-Visual Media Synergy: Track rappers expanding into film/TV production roles

Avoid Pitches About

  • Mainstream pop collaborations without hip-hop roots
  • International music trends outside the US South

Gaming journalist at The Escapist, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

Rory Hutchings has established himself as a leading analyst of gaming's cultural and technical evolution through his work at The Escapist and Niche Gamer. Specializing in narrative systems and indie development, his articles frequently influence both industry practices and academic research.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Emergent Game Design: Documents experimental mechanics through case studies of titles like Tunic and Outer Wilds
  • Ethical Monetization: Developed framework for evaluating player-first monetization models adopted by 12 major studios
  • Historical Analysis: Traces design evolution across console generations with emphasis on constraint-driven innovation

Pitching Guidelines

  • Lead With Data Visualization: Successful pitches include heatmaps of player behavior or choice architecture diagrams
  • Connect to Wider Culture: Hutchings prioritizes stories examining gaming's influence on film, literature, and social dynamics
  • Avoid Esports Coverage: Focus remains on single-player experiences and cooperative design over competitive gaming

Gaming journalist at Game Rant, USA
USA
Gaming
Tech
Entertainment

As Game Rant's senior gaming journalist, Young specializes in:

  • AAA Title Deep Dives: 75% of his work focuses on PlayStation/Xbox exclusives
  • Patch Analysis: Breaks down technical updates into consumer-friendly insights
  • Developer Relations: Maintains contacts at 20+ major studios

Pitching Priorities

  • 🕹️ Unexplored game lore connections
  • 📈 Player impact metrics on design changes
  • 🎮 Emerging console hardware capabilities

Music journalist at HipHopDX, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Celebrities

For PR professionals seeking to engage this music journalist:

Current Focus Areas

  • Hip-Hop Legal Battles: Setaro frequently covers intellectual property disputes that shape rap's creative landscape
  • Digital Era Artist Feuds: His work analyzes how social platforms transform traditional rap rivalries

Pitching Preferences

"The best stories live where the music meets the courtroom" - Setaro, 2024 interview
  • Exclusive Data: Prioritizes pitches with streaming analytics showing beef-driven playlist trends
  • Artist Access: Values interviews with producers/engineers over celebrity publicists

Recent accolades include his 2024 investigative series tracking rap-related cryptocurrency scams, cited by the FTC in recent fintech regulations. His upcoming book Bar Codes: Rap's Hidden Legal Lyrics further cements his status as hip-hop's preeminent legal analyst.

Sports journalist at ESPN, USA
USA
Sports
Media
Entertainment

Jeff Darlington is ESPN’s premier NFL correspondent, specializing in athlete narratives that intersect with cultural and strategic trends. His work combines investigative rigor with cinematic storytelling, making him one of sports journalism’s most influential voices.

Pitching Focus Areas
  • NFL Innovations: Seeks stories on tactical shifts, e.g., how analytics are reshaping fourth-down decisions.
  • Athlete Entrepreneurship: Profiles of players building ventures beyond endorsements.
  • Event Economics: Impact analyses of mega-events like Super Bowls on local economies.
Awards Snapshot
  • 3x National Sports Media Association Award winner (2021–2023)
  • 2022 Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting

Darlington avoids coverage of collegiate athletics and amateur leagues, preferring the high-stakes dynamics of professional sports. His recent work explores how AI is transforming scouting—a fertile ground for tech-savvy sources.

Lifestyle journalist at Dotdash Meredith, USA
USA
Lifestyle
Food
Entertainment

Taysha Murtaugh shapes lifestyle narratives through Dotdash Meredith’s premier brands, including Country Living and Serious Eats. With 10+ years’ experience, she’s become a go-to voice for:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Holiday Innovation: From Halloween decor hacks to Christmas tree trends
  • Celebrity Lifestyle Analysis: Profiling stars’ homes, traditions, and product lines
  • Kitchen Commerce: Testing and curating cooking tools for home chefs

Pitching Preferences

  • Do: Connect products to historical traditions or celebrity endorsements
  • Don’t: Pitch breaking news or politically charged topics
“Her work transforms seasonal content into year-round engagement drivers,” notes a Dotdash Meredith colleague.

Culture journalist at Men's Health, USA
USA
Culture
Entertainment
Lifestyle

This Scottish-born, Brooklyn-based writer brings intellectual heft to entertainment journalism through his focus on:

  • Cultural Archeology: Tracing how entertainment trends reflect societal values
  • Celebrity Nuance: Revealing the person behind public personas
  • Industry Mechanics: Examining the business realities shaping creative outputs

Pitching Priorities

Focus on stories that connect individual achievements to cultural movements, particularly those challenging traditional masculinity narratives. Avoid pitches about:

  • Red-carpet fashion trends
  • Award show predictions
  • Click-driven listicles

Current Platform: Men's Health (US edition)
Notable Byline: The New Yorker, GQ, A.V. Club

Arts journalist at San Francisco Chronicle, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

Tony Bravo (San Francisco Chronicle) is a leading voice in arts and culture journalism, specializing in visual arts, LGBTQ+ narratives, and the intersection of technology with creative industries. Based in San Francisco, his work for Datebook and KQED blends rigorous reporting with empathetic storytelling, often highlighting how regional trends influence national conversations.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Visual Arts: Profiles of emerging Bay Area artists, particularly those engaging with social justice themes.
  • Fashion Innovation: Sustainable design practices and tech-driven wearables, with emphasis on minority-led brands.
  • Digital Age Relationships: How apps and algorithms reshape dating, friendships, and professional networks.

Avoid When Pitching

  • Performing arts reviews (theater, dance)
  • Celebrity gossip unrelated to cultural analysis
  • Straightforward tech product launches without artistic angles

Recent Recognition

  • 2024 James Beard Foundation Media Award Nominee
  • 2023 NLGJA Excellence in LGBTQ Journalism Award Winner

Media journalist at The Hollywood Reporter, USA
USA
Media
Entertainment
Celebrities

Tony Maglio (The Hollywood Reporter) specializes in the intersection of entertainment, media, and live sports. With a career spanning TheWrap and IndieWire, he’s known for dissecting industry power shifts and amplifying LGBTQ+ representation.

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Rich Stories: He prioritizes viewership metrics, executive salary trends, and demographic analyses in coverage.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Leadership: Profiles of C-suite execs navigating streaming wars or diversity initiatives.
  • Inclusive Entertainment: Groundbreaking projects advancing LGBTQ+ or BIPOC representation, tied to measurable industry impact.

Avoid

Celebrity gossip without business angles, film/TV reviews, or music industry trends.

Culture journalist at The Ringer, USA
USA
Culture
Politics
Entertainment

Van Lathan is a cultural commentator and co-host of The Ringer’s Higher Learning, focusing on the intersection of Black culture, politics, and entertainment. Based in Los Angeles, his work combines historical analysis with incisive social critique.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Policy Impacts: Examines how legislation shapes artistic expression and community narratives
  • Entertainment Industry Systems: Analyzes racial dynamics in film/TV production and distribution
  • Historical Revisionism: Tracks patterns of erasure in media and education

Achievements

  • 2024 NABJ Digital Commentary Award
  • 2023 Webby Award for Best Interview Series
  • Peabody-nominated film producer

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches to Lathan should:

  • Connect policy changes to cultural shifts using verifiable data
  • Surface overlooked historical parallels in current events
  • Provide access to primary sources (unreleased media, raw datasets)

Avoid superficial celebrity gossip or international affairs pitches lacking U.S. cultural connections.

Arts journalist at Houston Chronicle, USA
USA
Arts
Culture
Entertainment

As the Houston Chronicle’s theater critic and arts writer, Chen specializes in unpacking how performing arts reflect societal values. His work consistently explores:

  • Cultural Identity: How marginalized communities use artistic expression
  • Institutional Critique: The evolving role of museums and theaters

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Stories about arts organizations addressing systemic inequities
  • Avoid: Celebrity-driven entertainment coverage

Politics journalist at HBO, USA
USA
Politics
Media
Entertainment

William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) is HBO’s longest-running political commentator, blending investigative rigor with comedic timing across Real Time (2003–present) and the Club Random podcast. Based in Los Angeles, his work dissects presidential politics, media ethics, and cultural shifts through accessible entertainment frameworks.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Executive Branch Strategy: Specializes in White House decision-making processes, particularly how presidents balance ideology with public perception.
  • Media Innovation: Tracks emerging formats in political communication, from TikTok congressional hearings to AI-generated campaign ads.
  • Cultural Policy Impacts: Examines how entertainment trends influence legislation, notably in tech regulation and education reform.

Pitching Insights

  • Timing Matters: Maher’s team reviews pitches Tuesday-Thursday for weekend show planning. Submissions during major news events get prioritized if offering counter-narrative angles.
  • Data Storytelling: Producers seek 3-5 key statistics that invert conventional wisdom, preferably from non-partisan institutes like Pew or Brookings.
  • Guest Diversity: While 68% of Real Time guests lean left, the most-booked panelists (22% repeat rate) are center-right thinkers critiquing GOP establishment.

Music journalist at Consequence of Sound, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

As News Editor at Consequence of Sound, Wren Graves has become a defining voice in modern music criticism. Their work combines deep musical knowledge with innovative storytelling formats, particularly through award-winning crossword puzzles that blend trivia with cultural analysis.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Music Industry Evolution: Tracks vinyl production trends, touring economics, and analog/digital hybridity
  • Artist Process Deep Dives: Specializes in studio technique analyses and gear innovation stories
  • Pop Culture Synthesis: Creates bridges between music history and broader entertainment trends

Pitching Priorities

  • Artist interviews focusing on creative methodology over personal biography
  • Data-driven stories about physical media resurgence
  • Cross-disciplinary analyses (music x gaming x environmental science)
"The best music journalism doesn't just describe sounds—it maps how those sounds travel through culture."

Sports journalist at The Athletic, USA
USA
Sports
Media
Entertainment

Zach Harper is The Athletic's lead NBA columnist and podcast host, renowned for blending advanced analytics with pop culture references. His 16-year career spans:

  • Daily Newsletter Authority: The Bounce provides executives and fans alike with salary cap insights and trade deadline strategies
  • Multimedia Storytelling: Hosts SiriusXM's "The Athletic NBA Show" and the cult film podcast Cinephobe
  • Key Coverage Areas:
    • Front office roster construction
    • Player development pipelines
    • NBA media landscape evolution

Pitching Priorities

Harper seeks stories that:

  • Expose hidden patterns in NBA transaction trends
  • Connect on-court strategies to cultural movements
  • Utilize historical archives to contextualize modern play

Music journalist at Festival Insider, USA
USA
Music
Entertainment
Culture

This New Jersey-born, Gainesville-educated writer has become Miami's preeminent documentarian of sound system culture and festival ecosystems. Currently shaping the conversation at Festival Insider, Schlein's work decodes how regional music movements influence global trends.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Underground Electronic Scenes: Tracks the evolution of Miami bass, juke, and reggaeton mutations
  • Festival Technology: Analyzes VR/AR implementations in live music contexts
  • Cultural Preservation: Documents how venues adapt to urban development pressures

Avoid Pitches About

  • Mainstream pop album reviews
  • Celebrity gossip unrelated to music production
  • National politics without cultural angle
"Schlein's writing doesn't just report on music - it archives the soul of a city in flux." - The New Tropic

Fashion journalist at Marie Claire USA, USA
USA
Fashion
Beauty
Entertainment

Zanna Roberts Rassi stands at the intersection of high fashion and accessible beauty as Marie Claire’s Fashion-Editor-at-Large and E! News’ lead style correspondent. With twin bases in New York and London, her work spans:

  • Key Beats: Red carpet analytics, celebrity brand collaborations, clean beauty innovation, and transatlantic fashion trends.
  • Awards & Recognition: 2022 Emmy winner for entertainment reporting, CFDA Media Award nominee, and co-founder of Milk Makeup (2021 Allure Best of Beauty winner).

Pitching Insights

Successful stories combine:

  • Technical Substance (e.g., fabric technology deep dives)
  • Cultural Relevance (tied to heritage months or sustainability milestones)
  • Celebrity Access (with emphasis on creative process over gossip)
"The best beauty stories empower rather than dictate - they give readers tools for self-expression, not rigid rules."

Contacting Entertainment Journalists in USA

Don't rely solely on a media list for success. To capture the attention of Entertainment journalists in USA, you need to understand how to deliver an outstanding pitch. Explore this section to learn effective strategies for pitching in the Entertainment category!

When and why to contact Entertainment journalists

Communicating with Entertainment journalists in USA entails being strategic and thoughtful in your approach. Given the high volume of pitches they receive, your story should stand out with its unique angle about Entertainment or a related product. Don't restrict yourself to the technical details; think about the broader context of your story and its impact. Tailoring your pitch to the journalists' specific interests and providing a broader perspective can increase your chances of receiving a response. Keep in mind, your story should effectively communicate the relevance and significance of Entertainment in a way that resonates with the audience.

How to contact Entertainment Journalists

If your aim is to connect with premier Arts journalists in Australia, sign up here to download the latest contact list for 2025. This annually updated list ensures that you're working with the freshest and most accurate contact details.

How to write a Entertainment press release

Pitching Etiquette to Entertainment journalists

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a media list?

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