My relationship with “PR people” has morphed throughout the years. On newspaper city and suburban news desks, where I spent the first 14 years of my career, we called them “flacks,” derogatory meaning intended. To a news reporter on deadline, a PR person was, if not the enemy, then certainly...

Today I spoke on a conference call with public relations professionals organized by Bulldog Reporter, a group that sponsors advanced PR training. The topic was how to pitch to travel publications, especially in light of current economic conditions. My co-panelists included representatives from the LA...