Coinciding with ABC-TV’s “190 North” celebrating its 10th anniversary as Chicago’s most watched television entertainment and lifestyle program, a panel — consisting of program host and executive producer Janet Davies, producer Rubye Wilson, and senior program producer Holly Grisham — shared tips on pitching the Chicago Emmy-winning show. The show airs Sundays at 10:35 p.m. on Chicago’s ABC affiliate.
Following are highlights of the panel’s discussion at the September Publicity Club of Chicago meeting:
Holly Grisham
Starting as a news producer at the University of Illinois, Grisham joined ABC-TV Chicago 10 years ago, working her way from producing news to producing specials, before helping to launch “190 North.” Grisham is the recipient of several awards and “can’t think of a show that could be more fun to produce. One day we are taking a ride with Mario Andretti at the racetrack and the next we’re learning how to decorate cakes — all while meeting some amazing people and learning things about Chicago that we never knew.”
As part of the original group, Grisham entertains suggestions revolving around lifestyles and entertainment, dining, shopping, interesting people and fun items — the entire focus of “190 North.”
“We love to cover wacky things like playing hockey with the self-proclaimed ‘Mother Puckers’ and rehearsing with the group that calls itself the ‘Percussion Marching Dads.’”
The show also likes to cover fun destinations, museums and out-of-the way locations. The primary audience is females between 25 and 54, but they are working on attracting more males and a younger audience.
At their monthly meetings, every member of the team pitches ideas to the group and “sells away.” The shoot calendar fills up immediately after these meetings.
“We’ve heard dozens of ideas between the six of us,” said Grisham. “We may determine themes or just determine what we will use. Then we’ll plot each show for a month, make assignments, match the producer with the talent and [tell the source] it’s a go. We’ll normally shoot the segment a week or two later.”
“As a publicist,” she added, “you should ask us what we will need and make sure we have it. You are the go-between for both us and your client or organization. You need to let people know — before we show up — what we will require and what to expect while we are there.”
Grisham explained that, on at least one occasion, they’ve arrived and have been turned away. The locations need to know that cameras will be in people’s faces and crews with bright lights will be on location. PR people need to set realistic expectations so their clients are not surprised and there are no unforeseen incidents. With a high-end dining establishment, for example, the crew will be “in the way” for at least three hours.
“Make sure that diners who don’t want to be filmed are not in the path of the camera lens. We don’t want to be thrown out,” she added.
When sending materials, attachments could shut down their system, as they have a mail system that allows a very limited capacity to each person. Grisham explained that “It is better to wait and ask if we want photos, or confine yourself to one attachment.”
Rubye Wilson
With a career that began by producing the “Jenny Jones Show,” “Judge Mathis” and some reality shows in California, Wilson received an Emmy for her work on the Chicago-based daytime reality drama “Starting Over” (Season 1). Prior to joining ABC-TV in Chicago, Wilson produced a variety of national shows, and has produced community affairs specials for People, Places & Things, profiling the culture of African-Americans, as well as producing an hour-long town hall meeting addressing violence against women. She currently serves as a programming producer for “190 North” and other ABC7 shows.
Wilson suggested that, when pitching an idea, the PR person must be enthusiastic. “It should be something you enjoy, think the audience would like and would be something we’d like to do,” she explained. Ideas can include a store with fabulous designs, great discounts or a place everyone just needs to know about. The visuals, a Web site and details of the event (or particulars of the location — if it’s an establishment) should all be information provided in the pitch.”
She also urges those making pitches to “give us as much information as possible — like that the lighting isn’t great or parking is really hard to find, plus any other instructions that might be helpful.”
“We are on a time limit,” she continued. “With only 4-8 hours in our schedule and four people on our crew, our time is tight.”
The more information you can provide upfront, the better. If the pitch better fits into a news story, Wilson promised that the idea would be passed on to the news department.
Producers have the responsibility for pitching the idea, researching, writing and putting the segment together. “We also coordinate with the contributors,” said Wilson. “If the talent has any ideas, they help them bring those ideas to life. We want them to bring their personalities forth to make the program unique.”
She added, “Every person on the team has ideas and opinions. Our mutual goal is always to offer the best possible ‘190 North.’”
Janet Davies
With nominations for more than 51 regional Emmys, and the recipient of 11 of those, Davies is best known for hosting, producing, writing and reporting. A graduate of Miami University in Ohio, she began her broadcasting career as a noon anchor and general assignment reporter for a Cincinnati TV station. She served as the co-host for “AM Philadelphia” before coming to Chicago 25 years ago to join ABC-TV/Channel 7. As the station’s feature and entertainment reporter, she has hosted a vast array of events, but has hosted and served as executive producer of “190 North” since 1984.
According to Davies, the show actually began 12 years ago in a magazine show format. A producer came up with the idea to use the station’s address, 190 North (State), as the address for the program.
She proudly announced, “We shot our 311th show this week! We normally do 32 to 35 shows a year, getting ideas from various contributors. We have done shows around the world, around the country and around Chicago. However, we realize we have not covered even one hundredth of what is out there,” said Davies. “We like having people say, ‘I’ve lived here all my life and have never been there’ or ‘I never knew that.’ It’s joyful to take them along with us.”
Davies described the number of pitches received daily as “mind-numbing.”
“Pitches,” Davies explained, “should be short and sweet. When pitching, put the key points in the title line. Short is wonderful.”
The show receives three or four story ideas a day. Most, however, are not local. “The show really focuses on the Chicago area. Ideas that focus on the surrounding counties and the Midwest also attract our attention,” said Davies. She explained that, although the station’s area of dominant influence (ADI) covers a four-state area, they like to cover destinations within a tank-full of gas.
The shows that do best are weddings and food, along with shows featuring suburbs and neighborhoods. Travel shows don’t always do well, but a Chicago connection is key to locations being considered.
If stories cannot be used right away, ideas are kept in the “evergreen” file. This file remains active, and Davies has done stories pitched two years prior. Shooting is normally done about a month in advance of the air date.
Aside from Davies, the other show hosts, all freelance talent, include Michelle Alegria and Doug Banks, both of whom have been with the show for seven years, and newcomer Tim Hogo, who promises to bring his youthful background to the mix. Alegria covers shopping, eating and spas, among other unique places. Banks adds versatility and humor to the mix and loves to cover eating establishments. Hogo will cover the “Club Kit” persona and wacky things as he establishes a fit for himself.
“We can do anything,” said Davies, “as long as it fits our format. We don’t have the resources or manpower to do shows every week. We use freelance crews,” making it necessary to optimize their time on location. Also, they do not cover restaurants they have visited before unless there is a major change in the venue.
Nonprofits often approach the show for coverage; however they need to understand that “190 North” does not cover benefits or one-time events. This is especially true since shows are re-aired five or six months later, making time-sensitive events problematic. A caveat is events where celebrities are present, so the show can mention the charity, but keep the primary focus on the celebrity.
Davies urges people to check the “190 North” Web site to see what has been covered. When pitching, “Any of us are fair game and it is okay to blanket all of us,” she added. “However, it is better to establish a relationship with a producer or reporter.”
“We want to save trees, and e-mails are easier to file,” she continued. “Snail mail is okay. If you decide to fax, though, know you have a 50/50 chance that someone will receive it,” adds Davies.
To e-mail the show, address pitches to producers@190North.com. “Some of the best, really cool ideas come through that address,” said Davies, adding that e-mail is the best way to contact anyone, although voice is okay. (To get a specific person’s e-mail address, you need to find out the middle name. PCC members can also check for it in the club’s directory.)