How to pitch to the Daily Mail

A Q&A with executive news editor Katie Hodge

I wanted to give you something a bit different today, so for this edition of Get Featured we’ll be hearing from Katie Hodge, executive news editor at the Daily Mail, on how to pitch to the publication.

Whether you’re looking to raise your public profile, promote a product or push a campaign, you should absolutely be targeting the Daily Mail. As it’s one of Britain’s most-read and most influential newspapers and websites, I know from experience that being featured in the Mail can have a huge impact. This is true even if the coverage doesn’t exactly go your way: I once wrote a negative news story about the dubious claims of a new product for the Daily Mail - the company later told me its sales increased by 44% overnight as a result.

And if you’re a freelance journalist, the Mail offers some of the best rates on Fleet Street (check out some typical rates here), so it’s always worth pitching to.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

I had a quick chat with Katie Hodge about what she wants to see in a pitch and how to pitch to her, here’s what she said:

What’s your role at the Daily Mail?

As executive news editor, I commission exclusive news stories to run on a Saturday or a Monday [sometimes called “weekenders”].

What types of topics and stories do you wanted to be pitched?

Anything with a strong or catchy news line. Good human stories are imperative on a Saturday, along with consumer stories. These days I’m usually looking for something light and bright too. Great pictures can make a story.

Do you accept PR pitches - and how can people pitch PR ideas to you?