Following is a Q&A with Kimberly A. Porrazzo, editor, OC Metro Magazine:
By Greg Shemitz
Q: What’s your background as a journalist? What are your responsibilities at OC Metro?
A: I’m a graduate of Cal State University Long Beach who came out of college with a journalism degree and then went straight into marketing communications. After the longest unpaid maternity leave on record — 15 years — I found my way back into journalism as a senior writer for several magazines published by Churm Media. I moved through the editorial organizational chart and was recently named editor of OC Metro Magazine, a business/lifestyle magazine with a readership of 350,000 in Orange County, Calif.
I’m also the author of a couple of books; the most recent, “The Santa Secret,†is a book on how to tell your children the truth about Santa Claus. My shameless plug: www.thesantasecret.com. I am also president of the Orange County Press Club, a 51-year-old organization.
My 15 minutes of fame came in 1998 when I was a guest on the “Today” show, interviewed by Katie Couric.
Q: What types of stories are most likely to pique your interest? What kind of material should public relations people be on the lookout for?
A: Everything we print must have a connection to “the OC.†We are interested in people and businesses with ties to Orange County, particularly rags-to-riches business stories. We publish several special issues that showcase women leaders, entrepreneurs and execs under age 40, great places to work in OC, and the Hottest 25 people of Orange County.
Q: What recent projects have given you the most satisfaction or are most reflective of your work?
A: Churm Media published OC Women’s Business, a special focus publication that included 15 inspirational stories about women who started and succeeded in founding their own businesses, all of which I wrote. It was kind of a “best of†featuring my work.
Q: What industry publications, Web sites and services do you refer to?
A: ProfNet.com for all queries, Mediabistro.com for industry news, MSNBC.com and CNN.com for news, and OCPressClub.org for local stuff.
Q: What do you like/dislike about dealing with PR people? Any tips you’d like to give them?
A: Well, since I’ve been on both sides of the desk, I have to say I respect their role in the grand scheme of things. The best PR people ask what I’m looking for first, rather than pitching their client. “What kind of stories are you working on?†and “What can I do for you?†are questions more PR types should ask
Q: How and when do you prefer to be contacted?
A: E-mail.
Q: What’s the best way to send news releases to you: mail, e-mail or fax?
A: E-mail.
Q: Do you accept photos/graphics/artwork? If so, how do you want to receive them? Any specific formatting requirements?
A: Yes: jpeg, tiff.
Kimberly A. Porrazzo
Editor
OC Metro Magazine/Churm Media, Inc.
1451 Quail St., Suite 201
Newport Beach, CA 92660
E-mail: kporrazzo@churmmedia.com
Phone: (949) 757-1404, ext. 261
Web site: www.ocmetro.com