Jeri Cartwright

Once a broadcast journalist, I now work as a media relations specialist. My profession grows more complex each day. This blog helps me cope :)

Selected as one of the 101 Women Bloggers to Watch for 2009 by WE Magazine.

Disclosure:

No one pays me to write this blog and I do not use it to publicize any clients. No higher authority controls the contents. If I discuss one of my clients, it will be with their permission and my admission to you.

My Background:

Once a broadcast journalist, I now work as a media relations specialist. My company, Cartwright Communications, www.cartwrightcom.com, was founded in 1996.

I consider myself a “story broker”. I miss the creativity behind the daily news. Yet in my current role, I can explore, research and investigate potential stories, either about clients, or about issues of the day. When I find a unique one, I tip off a good reporter.

Sometimes journalists are happy to hear from me, very appreciative of the ideas I send their way. Other times, I'm considered a "pest", trying to get favorable coverage for a client. A good story is a good story, regardless.

I LOVE PR. I HATE HOW IT'S BEING USED.

I truly love my profession, but I am concerned about the way "media relations" or "public relations" is being used in many arenas - especially in politics.

I've always believed in truth - always coached clients to tell it. But truth comes in many shades of gray. Have members of this profession talked themselves into nearly lying at times - yet thinking they speak the truth? An interesting question.

This site is meant for a little professional soul-searching. I hope you will share your thoughts and experiences.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I started my own media relations firm in 1996 - Cartwright Communications.

www.cartwrightcom.com

Known for award-winning work in media and community relations, we are a team of former journalists. We work for a select number of clients, allowing us the time to deliver quality results and individual attention to those who put their trust in us.

Cartwright Communications is the recipient of a "Giant Step" Small Business Award from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Services we provide:

Executive Counsel
Media & Community Relations
Image & Issue Management
Trust-based Marketing
Brand Positioning
Social Networking / Blogging Strategies

We believe in creating and sustaining positive, credible and engaging relationships with reporters and new media participants.

As a former reporter, I worked for ten years in broadcast news as the evening anchor and reporter at KOLD TV (CBS affiliate) in Tucson, Arizona and also at KUTV (CBS affiliate) in Salt Lake City as an anchor, reporter and producer. Additional past experience includes: Vice president of communications for the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and communications director for the Salt Lake County Commission.

I believe in volunteering and have been active in Utah's executive associations as a past president of the Utah Advertising Federation (UAF), past president of the Utah Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), current board member of the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and I have also served on the boards of the Utah Better Business Bureau and Salt Lake City's Tracy Aviary.