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 🙌
“Meet The Media was a fabulous opportunity.
We'd especially been hoping to be featured in one of the biggest regional magazines (Yorkshire Life) and that's exactly what happened. Not only that, but we've already been featured in York Press and also have a Yorkshire Times article due out.
“The event has helped us to gain visibility in our region and further afield via social media and online news channels. This has been a really positive experience, 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?
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
• 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 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, 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
“I was so excited to attend the first ever Meet the Media back in March this year - and it did not disappoint!
“The event 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 huge well done to Jo and Linda for putting together such a successful and engaging event. Thank you.”
Yorkshire fashion designer, Isabelle Randall
Coverage: Front cover image and feature in the October issue of Yorkshire Living magazine
“We were excited about the Meet The Media event as it gave us face to face access to some fantastic journalists. It was a fabulous opportunity.
“We'd especially been hoping to be featured in one of the biggest regional magazines (Yorkshire Life) and that's exactly what happened. Not only that, but we've already been featured in York Press and also have a Yorkshire Times article due out in October. If it wasn’t for Meet The Media, this might never have happened.
"The event has helped us to gain visibility in our region and further afield via social media and online news channels. This has been a really positive experience, 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 Yorkshire-based Your Menopause Nurse.
Coverage: Full-page article in Yorkshire Life magazine
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.
Did you know we also run in-person PR training and workshops?
These include our Pitch The Press Like A Pro workshop in York.
Some kind words from these events:
”There's nothing bad to say about the Pitch to 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
“It 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
“I booked Linda and Jo's Pitch The Press Like A Pro workshop in September and it was really informative.
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
“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
