Share Your Pizzeria’s Story with Local Media Right Now
Updated October 2, 2024. October’s National Pizza Month is the perfect time to reach out to local and regional media to get coverage. In the October issue of Pizza Today, I shared Media, Marketing and Social Media Ideas for National Pizza Month. But I want to go a step further on getting media coverage during National Pizza Month.
5 Ways to Get Media Coverage During National Pizza Month
Let’s break down each section of 5 ways that you may be able to capitalize on National Pizza Month and look at National Pizza Month media coverage from last year as examples.
Deals, Deals, Deals!
Offering specials and discounts for National Pizza Month can grab the attention of local media. Often, we see media outlets run stories at the beginning of October sharing with the audience the best places to find National Pizza Month deals. If you have a special or discount going this month, be sure to send the details to the correct person at the media outlet.
USA Today highlighted how to take advantage of pizza deals nationwide all month long. See the USA Today article.
Chicago Food Magazine featured local pizzerias and their specialty pizzas and happenings surrounding National Pizza Month. Read the Chicago Food Magazine’s story. (Note: Magazines plan coverage months in advance in print magazine, but often update their digital magazines with new information.)
Local Celebration Roundups
News media receive several press releases and alerts on the same subject. When it comes to NPM, they often create a feature highlighting how each pizzeria is celebrating. You’ll notice community outreach initiatives, pizza giveaways, interviews and more.
The Detroit Free Press featured how each highlighted pizzeria celebrates. Check out the Detroit Free Press coverage.
Pizzeria Listicles
Listicles are very popular in print and online media resources. We see a lot of lists on where to find the best pizza in the area. The focus here is eye-catching photos of pizza and details on the pizzeria. Send them why your pizza should rank high. Include jaw-dropping photos of your pizza and any accolades you’ve received locally, regionally and nationally.
Connecticut Insider spotlighted 12 new Connecticut pizzerias that opened in 2023 for National Pizza Month with eye-catching photos of pizza and details on the pizzeria. Read the Connecticut Insider feature.
Local media also like to draw attention to where to find the best pizza in the area. Pensacola News Journal marked the start of National Pizza Month with its list of best pizza joints. Check out Pensacola News Journal’s list.
New Menu/Product Release
October is a great month to roll out a new menu or new pizza. Share them with your local media, maybe even a tasting event.
Last year, Lou Malnati’s rolled out its Meatball Marinara Pizza to honor National Pizza Month. Many media outlets picked up the story, including On Milwaukee. Read the On Milwaukee feature.
On-Air Appearances
Media outlets have found National Pizza Month a great opportunity to bring pizzeria owners and pizza chefs live in studio to talk pizza, do a food demo or highlight what the business is doing for National Pizza Month. Reach out and pitch yourself and your business to get an on-air spot.
CBS News Detroit featured Rocco’s Pizzeria in a 4:30-minute segment, and continued the coverages to others all month long. Watch the CBS News Detroit segment.
Yes, you can submit stories through the media outlets general story submission areas through their website or e-mail. Another approach is to reach out to the food and restaurant writers. You’ll notice the writer’s details at the bottom of most stories with e-mail or their social handles. You can try pitching them directly.
You can also host a Press Night. Invite local food writers, bloggers, etc. in for a free dinner during which you give them a top-notch pizza experience and hit key talking points that differentiates your pizzeria … i.e. expand on whatever it is that makes you special and unique in your city, whether that be locally sourced ingredients, gluten-free, organic, beer in your dough, etc.
Explore more resources and help with celebrating National Pizza Month in our Toolkit.
Now that’s it National Pizza Month 2024. See who’s getting media coverage for National Pizza Month:
Since it’s October and National Pizza Month has begun, let’s look at the pizzerias getting media attention for their National Pizza Month Campaigns. We’ll update this list with more media stories as they become available. Here are the National Pizza Month stories on local, regional and national media.
Delaware Online: It’s National Pizza Month! Here’s where to get a deal on pizza
PIX11 New York: PIX11 Morning News, Celebrating National Pizza Month
Las Vegas Review-Journal: 9 new places in Las Vegas to celebrate National Pizza Month
Fox2 Detroit: Buddy’s Pizza stops by for National Pizza month
