Media Roundtable 2025: A Full House, A Roomful of Insight
Posted on Jun. 27, 2025 / Subscribe 0
by Kiran Malik
Port Tampa Bay transformed into a buzzing newsroom on June 25, 2025, as PRSA Tampa Bay hosted its signature Media Roundtable to a packed room of PR pros and communicators. The event delivered exactly what it promised: real talk from journalists about how to break through the noise and build meaningful media relationships. &br; &br;
Emceed by Lissette Campos of WEDU PBS, the eight-time Emmy award-winning journalist, the morning featured eight incredible journalists from print, broadcast, and radio, who graciously shared their wisdom, pet peeves, and best advice with our eager audience. The energy was electric. The interaction was priceless. And the takeaways? Game-changing.
With newsrooms staff dwindling across all outlets, local journalists shared relying more on pitches but added the necessary reminder of knowing who to send your pitch to. Depending on the outlet, it can be the reporter directly, or the producer, yes, it does come down to building media relationships.
“Local, specific and why it matters, those are the key items we need in your pitch,” shared Kathryn Varn of Axios Tampa Bay, who co-writes the daily newsletter featuring local news.
“Send early and often,” was Tina Karagiannis’ advise, who is the Senior Manager of News Gathering Operations for Spectrum Bay News 9. While Mark Wilson of Fox 13 emphasized sending pitches directly to reporters for “better traction.”
Following the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to pitch stories directly to journalists as they went from table to table in a speed dating style set-up. &br; &br;
Events like this are what PRSA Tampa Bay is all about: creating space for meaningful conversations, relationship building, and professional growth. Whether you’re pitching your next story, building media strategy, or just looking to stay sharp - you belonged in that room.
Missed it? Don’t worry. We’ll be back. Until then, keep telling your stories and doing the work that matters.
If you’ve been thinking about joining us, become a member today, from invaluable networking opportunities to professional development, there are numerous benefits to becoming a member. Details here.
Here’s a lightning-round recap of our featured panelists:
Lissette Campos, WEDU PBS
A broadcast trailblazer and eight-time Emmy award-winning journalist, Lissette brings depth, passion and purpose to every story she tells.
Mark Gordon, Business Observer
Managing Editor with the Business Observer since 2005, with an editor’s eye and a reporter’s grit, Mark turns business into compelling storytelling that matters.
Tina Karagiannis, Senior Manager of News Gathering Operations, Spectrum Bay News 9
Tina is the newsroom’s steady hand, balancing urgency with poise as she leads news gathering across the region.
Camille Knox, CBS News
Award-winning journalist, editor and entrepreneur, Camille champions truth, voice, and the power of well-crafted words.
Matthew Peddie, WUSF Radio
Through his weekly public affairs show Florida Matters, Matthew finds the heart of Florida stories and brings them to life with the intimacy only public radio can offer.
Kathryn Varn, Axios Tampa Bay
Reporter/co-author of the daily newsletter, with curiosity as her compass, Kathryn covers Tampa Bay with clarity and context, as well as “smart brevity.”
Mark Wilson, FOX13
Anchor for FOX13, Mark’s storytelling spans continents and three decades, but it’s his love for Tampa Bay that always shines through.
Sharon Wynne, Tampa Bay Times
Writer/editor, Sharon turns pop culture into journalism gold and brings the fun and the facts to everything she writes.
Kiran Malik is freelance journalist, a communications professional, and a member of PRSA Tampa Bay's Digital Communications Committee. She is an avid reader and a poet, who also loves Netflix (go figure!).
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