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CNN Headline News Publicity -- Primed with purpose
By Lauren Hammann
(CNN) -- It's funny to me that most of my friends and family have no idea what I do as the network publicist for CNN Headline News. Many of the questions I typically get asked about my job: "So what exactly do you do?" "If you're the media, why do you promote CNN Headline News to the media?" And "Will we ever see you on air?" I'll do my best to answer a few of these questions to set the record straight. My job is to promote the network, anchors and the stories we cover to the media who cover the media. Yes, that does seem to be a contradiction but there are in fact, people who write and report on other media outlets for a living. I make these journalists aware of who we are, what we do and why we do it better than our competitors. So what's so great about Headline News and why would anyone want to cover a cable news network? (A question if not directly asked, then often directly implied). My response is generally something like the following: CNN Headline News is unique because it's a fast-paced approach to covering the top news stories allowing viewers to tune-in for 15 minutes and to come away with the sense that they know what's going on in the world. Since this format is different from any other news network, it also allows CNN Headline News to cover business, sports, entertainment, health and technology. In any one day, viewers might see technology anchor Daniel Sieberg profiling the latest PDA and other assorted high-tech gadgets; environmental anchor Sharon Collins might have several kangaroos in studio for a story on marsupials, or evening news anchor Mike Galanos might be perfecting a hot sauce for a cooking segment on buffalo wings for a Super Bowl spread. Another question I get is, "Your job sounds so glamorous ... what's it like to work with the anchors?" If a guy is asking the question he'll most likely ask, "Do you know Rudi Bakhtiar and can you get her to go out with me???" Another facet of my job is working with the 33 anchors, sub-anchors and correspondents who report for the network, including, Rudi Bakhtiar. Interacting with the anchors is one of my favorite parts of the job because our on-air team is comprised of individuals with varied backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and personalities. When a writer calls and wants to know whom they can talk to about the latest news story, it's my job to know which anchor is best suited for the interview. And no matter how many requests we get, CNN Headline News is not going to feature the segment, "Who Wants to Date a CNN Anchor featuring Rudi." (Sorry guys, she's taken). I'm ready for my close-up... An additional aspect of my job is coordinating photo shoots for the anchors, which frequently illustrates the vast differences between the sexes. Male anchors generally arrive at the studio with one or two suits. They spend 10 minutes in make-up, pose tentatively for the camera and then they're out the door and on with their day. Whereas the female anchors usually call me two weeks in advance of the shoot to determine what kind of clothing to bring. After reassuring them that two suits will be sufficient, they arrive at the studio with an arsenal of suit separates weighing them down. After we collectively decide which two outfits are most appropriate, they move onto the hair and make-up process that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. These women expertly pose in front of the camera as if they've appeared on numerous, high-fashion magazine covers many times. Kangaroos, crusty media writers and a throng of uber photogenic anchors -- it's all in a day's work.
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