Meet The Media - helping small businesses to get seen in the press
Jo Leatham and I at our last Meet The Media event in York.
Photo credit: Joanna Brierfey
One attendee from our sell-out Meet The Media events recently signed up TWO new clients directly from them reading an article about her business in Yorkshire Living magazine.
That's the sort of result - and return on investment - that we love!
Laura Howlette, owner of Serenity Home Staging in York, joined Meet The Media earlier this year. She met six journalists at the speed networking tables, including Catherine Turnbull, Editor of Yorkshire Living magazine. And as a direct result, Laura got a fantastic three-page feature in Yorkshire Living 🙌
What is Meet The Media?
Our Meet The Media events in York are a unique experience. A group of small business owners from around Yorkshire meeting top regional journalists, and some serious speed networking.
So far, these two events have resulted in more than 30 pieces of press coverage for local businesses, including in Yorkshire Living magazine, The Yorkshire Post, The York Press, The Sun, The Yorkshire Times, Yorkshire Business Insider and on BBC Radio York (with more in the pipeline!).
The half-day, in-person sessions start with networking and then our selected group of top regional journalists introduce themselves at the front of the room and share their insider pitching tips.
Local entrepreneurs then get an individual number, and find their seat at a table with one journalist and a group of other business owners. After 20 minutes, the business owners move tables, and continue every 15-20 minutes until they have met all the journalists.
There’s then usually a panel Q&A, tea, coffee and pastries, and another opportunity for networking.
Business owners from across Yorkshire get to discover how the media works, swap business cards and connect with other amtitious business owners - all in relaxed surroundings at Patch.
Journalists who have attended our events so far:
• Kathryn Armstrong, Editor of Yorkshire Life magazine
• Catherine Turnbull, Editor of Yorkshire Life magazine
• Elly Fiorentini, Senior Content Producer (communities), BBC Radio York
• Greg Wright, Deputy Business Editor of The Yorkshire Post
• Darren Greenwood, Business Editor at The York Press
• Andrew Palmer – Group Editor of p.ublished online newspapers covering the north of England, including the Yorkshire Times
• Ian Leech, Editor of Yorkshire Business Insider magazine
• Louisa Gregson - a freelance journalist who writes for The Yorkshire Post, The Sun and Stylist magazine, among others
How the first Meet The Media was reported in The York Press
How the second Meet The Media was reported in The York Press
Attendees chatting to journalists at the first Meet The Media event in York.
Image credit: Olivia Brabbs
These business have all secured press coverage from Meet The Media so far:
York Press:
• Power for Women - self defence
• Joanna Brierley - photographer
Yorkshire Post:
• Illustrator Sarah Westood - double-page feature in the Yorkshire Post Magazine
• Karen McMillan - Business section
The Sun:
Yorkshire Living magazine:
• The Inhaler Tailor - June 2025 issue, double-page feature
• Serenity Home Staging - July 2025 issue, three-page feature. And this led to fabulous extra coverage on Instagram
Yorkshire Business Insider magazine:
The Yorkshire Times:
Radio York:
• Evergreen Exploring - interview
With many more in the pipeline!
Attendees networking at Meet The Media.
Image credit: Joanna Brierley
Reviews - and resulting press coverage from Meet The Media
“Meet The Media was a brilliant PR experience. Not only was the exposure
invaluable but also the connections made along the way. The five
journalists were incredibly approachable and gave so much good advice.
The people in my group were really supportive and it was a privilege to
hear about their businesses. Watching their confidence grow with each
pitch was inspiring. Linda and Jo created an atmosphere that was
encouraging and collaborative, and I came away feeling more confident in
sharing my own story. A really uplifting and empowering day."
Sarah Westwood, an artist and illustrator on the Yorkshire coast
Coverage: Double-page feature in The Yorkshire Post Magazine (Plus coverage on Instagram)
“Walking into a room to ‘pitch’ my business to five established
powerhouses in journalism was daunting to say the least! The actual
experience was eye-opening - meeting other business owners and learning
about their worlds and finding out about what really goes on in
journalism. It was also educational, in tweaking my approach to pinpoint
what the ‘real story’ is and hopefully rewarding - watch this space for
printed articles to come.”
Scarborough-based coach Theresa Hargreaves
Coverage: Article in The Yorkshire Times
“I absolutely loved being involved in the event last week. I was nervous
but all the attendees and journalists were really friendly and I
instantly felt at ease. Jo and Linda did a fabulous job of organising
and making sure everyone had a fair chance to tell their story. I'm
thrilled that I've had contact with some of the journalists following
the event.”
Jemma Graham, owner of Paws n Promises in York
Coverage: Article in The York Press
Local business owners get feedback on their story ideas from BBC Radio York journalist, Elly Fiorentini.
Image credit: Joanna Brierley
The hosts
Meet The Media is co-hosted by York PR experts, Linda Harrison and Jo Leatham.
Yorkshire Times Editor Andrew Palmer shares pitching advice with local business owners.
Image credit: Joanna Brierley
We are proud to support the charity Smart Works Leeds.
