Meet The Media
Jo and I at Meet The Media in Harrogate.
Photo credit: Joanna Brierley
One attendee signed up TWO new clients after meeting an editor at Meet The Media.
Laura Howlette, owner of Serenity Home Staging in York, joined our first Meet The Media in York last 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 🙌
From that article, Laura started receiving lots of enquiries… and two clients booked her home staging services for their homes.
That's the sort of result - and return on investment - we love!
And Laura isn’t the only Yorkshire entrepreneur who’s seen Meet The Media boost the visibility for their business….
“By the day after the event, I'd already secured a regular column and a few articles in a regional publication.
It was so great to get to meet the journalists. They were full of ideas about how we could pitch our ideas to them and other publications. I'm come away buzzing with ideas and confidence. It was also great to meet all the others in the room, it was a very friendly, supportive vibe (typical of all Linda and Jo's events) and great hearing more about each others ideas and businesses. Highly recommend!”
Lucy Hurn, owner of Feel Fit with Lucy triathlon coaching
“We'd especially been hoping to be featured in Yorkshire Life - and that's exactly what happened.
Not only that, but we've already been featured in York Press and the Yorkshire Times. Meet The Media helped us to gain visibility in our region and further afield. We're so glad events like this one exist to help small businesses grow in confidence and stature.”
Mell Dunwell and Pearly Clark Brown, founders of Your Menopause Nurse
What is Meet The Media?
Good question!
Is it a workshop? Is it networking? It’s a combination of both (with a twist).
A unique experience: Think speed networking for business owners and journalists.
And it’s resulted in more than 50 pieces of local and national press coverage for local businesses.
First, a select group of top regional journalists share pitching tips. Then everyone takes a seat at one of the speed networking tables to meet one of the journalists. After 20 minutes, the business owners move tables, and continue every 20 minutes until they have met all the journalists.
There are also plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the event, with gorgeous pastries, and lots of tea and coffee.
You get to discover how the media works, swap business cards and connect with other inspiring business owners - all in relaxed surroundings.
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
• Graham Chalmers, Chief Reporter at The Harrogate Advertiser
• Ben Groom, Content Director at Your Harrogate
• Ian Leech, Editor of Yorkshire Business Insider magazine
• Louisa Gregson - a freelance journalist who writes for The Yorkshire Post and The Sun, among others.
Meet The Media featured in the press
Attendees chatting to journalists at the first Meet The Media event in York.
Image credit: Olivia Brabbs
"Thank you for an incredible day at Meet The Media.
It was a great to learn directly from journalists, be able to pitch my business to them and get feedback on what could work. It was also lovely to discover lots of other local businesses. Since then I've now got two amazing opportunities to promote my business which is very exciting.
I'm so glad I booked to come along. I would definitely recommend it to other small business owners.”
Sophie Roberts, founder of West Plum Studio
Just some of the press coverage…
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
• Isabelle Randall, fashion designer - October 2025. On the cover!
Yorkshire Life magazine:
• Your Menopause Nurse - October 2025 issue, full-page Q&A profile feature
• Sarah Westwood - November 2025 issue, full-page article about Sarah’s illustrations
Yorkshire Business Insider magazine:
The Yorkshire Times:
BBC Radio York:
• Evergreen Exploring - interview
• Theresa Hargreaves - interview
With many more in the pipeline.
Attendees networking at Meet The Media.
Image credit: Joanna Brierley
Reviews - and press coverage from Meet The Media
“A really uplifting and empowering day.
Not only was the exposure invaluable but also the connections made. Everyone was 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."
Sarah Westwood, artist and illustrator on the Yorkshire coast
Coverage: Double-page feature in The Yorkshire Post Magazine
(Plus coverage on Instagram)
“Educational - pinpointing what the ‘real story’ is.
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 - finding out what really goes on in journalism.”
Scarborough-based coach Theresa Hargreaves
Coverage: Article in The Yorkshire Times
“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.”
Jemma Graham, owner of Paws n Promises in York
Coverage: Article in The York Press
“I was so excited to attend the first ever Meet the Media - and it did not disappoint!
“It was so well organised from start to finish, from the warm meet & greet to the impressive line-up of journalists, and the invaluable opportunity to sit down and pitch your business directly to them. It was not only a fantastic platform to promote your brand but also to connect and network with so many inspiring Yorkshire businesses. A successful and engaging event.”
Yorkshire fashion designer, Isabelle Randall
Coverage: Front cover image and feature in the October issue of Yorkshire Living magazine
Local business owners get feedback on their story ideas from BBC Radio York journalist, Elly Fiorentini.
Image credit: Joanna Brierley
The hosts
Find out more about 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.
Fancy joining the next Meet The Media or another PR event? Subscribe to Linda’s newsletter
Other events
Workshops and training
”There's nothing bad to say about the Pitch the Press like a Pro workshop - except I wish it was longer!
Within half a day, I refreshed my PR skills, learned some great tips and had the bones of a pitch nailed. The York venue, Patch, was perfect. And the small group meant we could all get to know each other and benefit from time with the hosts.
The icing on the cake has been the follow up from Linda and Jo, both checking in and helping me to finesse my approach.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to build their profile in the media.”
Pauline Smith, founder of The Comms Smith
“Pitch the Press like a Pro was a fantastic morning working with everyone.
The relaxed, supportive group setting made it so easy to share ideas and build confidence. I found it really helpful learning how to structure a press pitch and highlight what makes my illustration work stand out.
“I left feeling inspired and clear about how to approach journalists — and I’ve already started reaching out with much more confidence. I’d definitely recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to share their story and get their work featured in the press.”
Sarah Westwood, illustrator
“We were able to ask lots of questions, took away lots of useful handouts, and were given advice to write a press release there and then!
“They not only gave support in the workshop but have also been very supportive and helpful since the workshop as well which has been invaluable. I would highly recommend it.”
Katie Geddes, founder of The Dance Studio Leeds
“Pitch The Press Like A Pro was a really well organised and thought provoking gathering of like minded risk takers. I loved it. Thank you.”
Rob Caines, founder of Ryedale Garage Doors
PR Coffee Mornings
In-person relaxed monthly meet ups in York. Free to attend - more information here
A recent PR Coffee Morning in York
“The most relaxed networking event I’ve ever attended.”
Amanda Murray, hypnotherapist
“PR Coffee Mornings give me the knowledge of what to do - but, more importantly, the confidence that it’s worth doing.
Fired up by what I'd learnt at a PR Coffee Morning, I sent out some press releases about an upcoming event.
We secured at least three articles. This helped to build awareness of the group and our goals - and inspired others to join the event based on what they'd seen in the press.”
Lucy Hurn, Feel Fit with Lucy triathlon coach, and member of the Yorkshire and Humber Supporting Women and Girls in Triathlon Network.
Want to get your business more visible?
• Book onto the next PR events and training
• Find out what journalists really look for in stories - Journalist Q&A interviews
• Exclusive offers and discounts
All in Linda’s Kickstart Your PR newsletter.
