This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast features Ted Winner, a Peabody, DuPont, and Emmy Award-winning producer whose 25+ year career in journalism includes work with some of the most iconic media organizations in the industry including: CNN, ABC News, The Weather Channel, ESPN, and NFL Network—where he helped develop and launch original shows like “Cold Pizza” and “Good Morning Football.” Ted’s storytelling has taken him across the globe, from traveling through Africa with Bono to highlight Third World Debt, to reporting from refugee camps during the Bosnian War, to spending a day with Muhammad Ali at his home and training center. He’s also been on the frontlines of major breaking news stories, including 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana. Ted’s most recent news contributions have benefited the local news market of New York City, where he has served as the Senior Manager in charge of live morning programming at NY1 / Spectrum News, overseeing more than 30 hours of live broadcasts each week, including the station’s flagship show “Mornings on 1” with the legendary Pat Kiernan.

Key pitching takeaways from Ted Winner on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Relationships matter: Great sources come from trust built over time.
• Always include strong visuals with your pitch: Stories are more than just words.
• Be accessible and respond promptly: Share after-hours contact details with journalists.
• Stay current and know the news cycle: Pitching at the right time is crucial.
• Accuracy trumps speed: it’s better to be second and right, than first and wrong.
• Feedback fuels growth: Lead with honesty while being supportive and collaborative, learning from missteps.
• Don’t give up: Getting the truth out is important, even when the climate is difficult.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchPro Ted Winner to access Ted’s pitching strategies and success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with Ted Winner

Instagram | X: @tedawinner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedwinner

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.

This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast takes a look back at April Sosa’s #internship #mentorship at Pitch Publicity® and how it helped shape her versatile career in communications and marketing. With experience spanning media relations, digital marketing, and event management, April has worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Del Monte Fresh Produce, Burger King, Popeyes, and Bacardi, where she served as North America Communications Manager. In her current role as Senior Communications Manager at PwC, April leads strategic communications for the Firmwide communications vertical, developing key narratives for various internal and external stakeholders. April earned her Master's in Marketing from Florida International University and a Bachelor's in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Throughout April’s career journey, she has remained committed to giving back—mentoring through the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation and leading meaningful alumni engagement as Marketing Director of the University of Florida Alumni Association’s Gator Club of Miami.

Key pitching/mentorship takeaways from April Sosa on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• The phone is back: Use it to break through the noise and grab media attention.
• Hook first, explain later: Be clear and direct with what you want.
• Subject lines matter: Ditch the brand names and write like a journalist.
• Skip long paragraphs: Use bullets and keep it tight for the media or leadership.
• Nail your elevator pitch: Make it conversational, confident, and memorable.
• Prep like a pro: Research your interviewer and arrive informed.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchStar April Sosa to be inspired by #mentorship and motivated to #pitch with success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with #PitchStar April Sosa:

Instagram: @aprill.sosa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-broadwater-sosa/

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.

This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast features Mark C. Perna, a nationally recognized generational expert, bestselling author, and founder and CEO of TFS Results. Mark is leading a powerful paradigm shift in education and workforce development through his national movement, “Education with Purpose and Employment with Passion,” which connects the critical pipelines between education, business, and economic growth. A captivating keynote speaker who has addressed audiences at Harvard University and beyond, Mark delivers more than 80 presentations annually and reaches millions of readers through his weekly leadership articles and videos on Forbes.com. His award-winning book, “Answering Why,” has redefined how educators, employers, and parents tap into the full potential of today’s younger generations.

Key pitching takeaways from Mark C. Perna on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Embrace the “no’s”—your pitch won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. Every “yes” becomes a pleasant surprise.
• Use strategic vocal inflections to emphasize key points and keep your audience engaged.
• Start with the end in mind. Never open a presentation with “Good morning,” a joke, or your resume—kick off with a relatable question that gets your audience nodding in agreement.
• Flip the script: lead with your core message and close with your personal story. Opening with your story can feel like playing your “heartstring moment” too early.
• Before presenting, meet as many people in the audience as possible—people pay closer attention to someone they feel they know. Keep your focus on them, not on yourself.
• When pitching or presenting virtually, imagine you're speaking to just one person. That personal connection makes your message land with greater impact.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchPro Mark C. Perna to access Mark’s pitching strategies and success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with Mark Perna

X: @MarkPerna

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_c_perna/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markcpernaspeaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markperna/

Website: https://markcperna.com/

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.