Welcome to On The Rox, a podcast from Roxhill Media, that asks some of the best journalists in the UK their solutions to the kinds of dilemmas that PRs confront daily. We know that there’s not a one-size-fits-all way of communicating with journalists. So we’re going direct to the writers in the newsroom to hear how they like to work with PRs and find out how you can stand out in their inboxes. www.roxhillmedia.com
Angus Mitchell, Lead Producer at Times Radio, tellsus what makes late-night different, the jaw-dropping stats about their viral video views, and breaks down who’s listening – it’s an impressive ABC1 audience, with thousands of American listeners, too. He also shares how his day is structured, the subject line that gets an email opened first, and the one detail about a spokesperson that makes producers feel instantly reassured. Host: Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest: Angus Mitchell @angusdmitchell
The Times' new London section is a big opportunity for PRs – a national desk dedicated to capital-city stories, with space still up for grabs. Senior Commissioning Editor Sidonie Wilson tells us what she's looking for and how best to get in touch. Host: Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest: Sidonie Wilson @sidoniewilson
In this episode, Olivia Petter – an award-winning freelance journalist, podcast, author and columnist at The Independent – takes us inside the world of personal narratives and explains why they have become such a successful format. In the age of social media, readers are increasingly drawn to first-person stories. But the bar has been raised recently – it’s essential to find a fresh angle, a surprising stat, and a headline strong enough to stop someone mid-scroll. Host: Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest: Olivia Petter @oliviapetter
Summer is peak season for travel crises – from EU entry rules to wildfires to press trips gone wrong. Travel journalist James Stewart explains what PRs need ready, and why staying silent is the worst move you can make. Host : Alessia Horwich @Lessybella Guest : James Stewart
The Guardian is a treasure trove of opportunities for books features, interviews, and reviews. Books Writer Emma Loffhagen breaks down exactly what the slots are, and how PRs can make the most of them. Host : Alessia Horwich @Lessybella Guest : Emma Loffhagen @emmalofty
AI is changing what the Times and The Sunday Times publishes. Elyse Popplewell, former Director of Audience, shares what that looks like in practice – and how PRs can stay a step ahead. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Elyse Popplewell @ElysePopplewell
Don't wait until budget day to pitch to Chris Price, Markets Editor at The Telegraph. In this episode, he explains why the real opportunity for PRs is actually in the run-up to the big day, the financial topics his readers actually care about, and how concise, analytical insight makes the cut when time is tight. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Chris Price @TheChrisPrice For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
What does the traveller who has “been everywhere and done everything” want to read about? Hint: it’s not National Pizza Day. We went behind the scenes of FT Globetrotter, the Financial Times’ city travel section, with Niki Blasina, Deputy Editor. She let us in on what makes a winning pitch and the regular features PRs should be pitching for. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Niki Blasina @nikiblasina For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
Still prioritising consumer media over trade titles? Eve Maddock Jones, former editor of Investment Week, explains why trade publications can be a more powerful platform – from reaching knowledgeable readers to valuing specialist voices and finding more nuanced angles. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Eve Maddock-Jones @evemaddj For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
How do books earn a place in Good Housekeeping? Joanna Finney, Books Director, lifts the lid. She shares the genres GH readers love, takes us behind the scenes of the regular monthly slots, and explains why sincere recommendations make the strongest pitches. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Joanna Finney @jofinney77 For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
Helen Davies takes us inside her powerhouse role of Editorial Projects Director at The Sunday Times – she’s the person behind everything from the Rich List and Best Places to Live to the Good Schools Guide and the Get Britain Reading campaign. In this episode, she explains how the success of these flagship projects naturally led to a dedicated focus on parenting, and why the team is committed to covering it with substance and joy. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Helen Davies For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
Calling all travel PRs – in this must-listen episode with The Telegraph's Hotels Editor Rachel Cranshaw, we go behind the scenes of their massive ecosystem of hotel reviews, features, and round-ups. It's full of tips on how to get your hotel featured, plus the crucial homework to do if you want to pitch perfectly. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Rachel Cranshaw @rachelcranshaw For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
If you’ve ever sent a pitch to a TV newsroom and thought, “Why hasn’t anyone bitten?”, then this is a must-listen. In this episode, we’re joined by Sam Rix, Freelance News Producer for ITV News and Good Morning Britain, who explains exactly what breakfast TV producers are looking for and their non-negotiables, including a news hook, compelling visuals, and human stories. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Sam Rix For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
Political Editor Steph Spyro takes us inside the world of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests – a powerful but often underused tool for PR professionals. Steph shares practical advice on how PRs can harness FOIs to create exclusive, data-driven stories that journalists will seize on. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Steph Spyro @spyingonsteph For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
How can you land one of the longest-running and most beloved profile slots in journalism? In this episode, Liz Edwards – who commissions Relative Values and A Life in the Day for The Sunday Times Magazine – pulls back the curtain on how PRs can put their client in front of millions of readers. Host : Alessia Horwich @lessybella Guest : Liz Edwards @lizedwards81 For more from us, follow @RoxhillMedia across all socials.
Do you know the difference between live and evergreen travel pieces? In this episode, Lucy Perrin helps us see the wood from the trees, tells us which pieces just keep on giving, and reveals something surprising about new hotel openings. @lessybella // @lucyisonholiday For more from us, follow @roxhillmedia across all socials.
Stacey Smith takes us behind the scenes of the behemoth that is the Good Housekeeping Institute, and tells us why she absolutely adores her job. In this funny, fascinating episode, you’ll find out from her what it’s really like to blind-test 90 Easter eggs and learn more about the magazine’s surprisingly sexy makeover. @lessybella // @crummbs_uk For more from us, follow @roxhillmedia across all socials.
We sit down with Phoebe Luckhurst to talk about the stories the Sunday Times reader, why PRs should pay attention to the seemingly unimportant topics people chat about at their desks, and the health topics guaranteed to get clicks. @lessybella // @phoebeluckhurst For more from us, follow @roxhillmedia across all socials.
What kinds of finance stories are right for women’s magazines? Find out how coverage has changed over the years, the importance of finding the emotional angle, and how to tie your pitches to buzzwords for maximum impact. @lessybella // @laurawhateley For more from us, follow @roxhillmedia across all socials.
We sat down with Alys to find out more about her background in journalism and all things opinion-led at City AM, including the voices she’s actively seeking, the stories that leap off the page, and why it’s crucial to remember that business is about people. @lessybella // @alysdenby For more from us, follow @roxhillmedia across all socials.
