Summer 2016
 
NonProfitTalk
Communications & public relations advice for nonprofits                                                                                                                                                                                                

  Brought to you by your friends at Anat Gerstein, Inc.  

Our clients in the news 


The weather has not been the only hot thing this summer: so has news from our nonprofit clients. We would like to share some of the coverage with you, so enjoy these great reads during the final days of summer. We'll see you in the fall!

AARP NY

Crain's New York Business

Amud Aish Memorial Museum


Asphalt Green

Associated Medical Schools of New York

Breakthrough New York

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Patch.com

Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership

Real Estate Weekly

Flushing Town Hall

Times Ledger

Girl Scouts of Greater New York

New York Daily News

New York City Mission Society

Queens Tribune
Make Your Voice Heard

Natural Areas Conservancy

The New York Times

Project Renewal

New York 1 News

The Workmen's Circle



Welcome our newest clients




We would like to welcome our newest clients, The Workmen's Circle and HELP USA. Both are amazing nonprofit organizations that are changing lives and helping New Yorkers. You can learn more about them at www.circle.org  and www.helpusa.org.  Stay tuned for great news involving both this fall!



Pitching notes:
Kim Pestalozzi, Producer, WPIX-TV

This month, we introduce you to Kim Pestalozzi, a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer for WPIX-TV. Kim writes and produces feature stories on a wide range of topics for WPIX's broadcast and digital platforms. C urrently, she produces three weekly segments: "It's a 'G' Thing", "Backstage on Broadway", and "Stories from the Heart", along with sports and consumer stories and specials. All of her pieces reflect the heart of New Yorkers and local organizations that are helping their communities.

How do you decide what stories you cover?
 
I spend a lot of time scouring the Internet, newspapers and PR pitches looking for something that catches my attention. But, many times, it's just about being attentive as I go about my day. I've found stories just walking down the street and seeing a poster, overhearing someone's conversation, or scrolling through social media. There is no formula these days for finding a story or for what makes a good story. My final decision on what I want to cover comes down to this: how does the story make me feel and how will it make others feel? The only way to create memorable moments is by connecting with people on an emotional level.
 
What are some key ingredients for a good "It's a 'G' Thing" story?
 
Heart, perseverance, positivity and ingenuity. Anyone and anything can be a good story for "It's a 'G' Thing." It's all in how you present it. The key is to make the story relatable, because a kid from a low-income community and a middle-aged adult from the Upper East Side may not have a lot in common on the surface. But, they may both be able to relate to loss, struggle, love, and fun. There are so many things that connect us with everyone else, and it's just about finding those traits and bringing them out.
 
What are your favorite stories you've done at WPIX?
 
I have so many favorites - sounds cliché, but it's true. I connect and invest in every story I do, but here are a few of my favorites from the past three years:
  • Johileny Meran - a homeless teen with cerebral palsy who overcame all odds to become her high school valedictorian. We also did a follow up story at her graduation ceremony and one year later as she finished up her first year of college at NYU. Our stories, she says, helped her grandma and brother secure affordable housing this summer.

  • Pajama Program - where young kids from low-income schools take a field trip to the midtown library and read with volunteers. The kids get to take home the book of their choice and a pair of pajamas (some of them have never owned PJs before). This organization truly touched me. I even have been volunteering there since our story.

  • Project Renewal's dental clinic-  the nation's only in-shelter dental clinic helps give homeless men and women a new smile, and more importantly, confidence to help them to restart their lives.
Can you tell us about your role in launching WPIX's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Special?
 
I absolutely loved putting together our Breast Cancer Awareness Special! It started in 2014 with a short conversation with our anchor, Tamsen Fadal. Her mom passed away from the disease years ago and we just wanted to do one story about it. But we realized there is so much more to cover and it snowballed into a special.

Learn more about the types of segments Kim works on, what elements are necessary to create a special, and how to pitch her to cover your nonprofit or cause by visiting our Tumblr blog here.
Introducing Lynsey Billet

Lynsey Billet is our newest Account Executive. 

Lynsey has worked in nonprofit advocacy, lobbying, and research. She previously served as a member of AARP's national campaign communications team, working on its digital and social media campaigns that furthered advocacy efforts on behalf of senior citizens. Prior to that, she interned with the PPL Corporation, a utilities company in Pennsylvania, serving as a junior lobbyist. She also worked as a research assistant in the Political Science Department at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ( where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science).





Anat Gerstein, Inc. is a full-service communications firm that works exclusively with nonprofits, big and small. Our clients represent a range of organizations, including social service, health care, education, and youth service groups; cultural, arts, and theater institutions; business and community development nonprofits; advocacy organizations; and foundations.
 
We specialize in helping nonprofits build brand recognition and reputation, and deepen and expand stakeholder relationships and partnerships. All of our work is focused on assisting organizations to reach their goals, including increased fundraising, volunteerism, client recruitment, attendance and participation, and furthering an advocacy agenda.
 
We currently work with 16 nonprofit organizations on a retainer basis -- providing them with year-round services ranging from media relations to functioning as their outsourced communications department.  We also work with nonprofits on a project basis.  

If you want to learn more about how we can help your organization, contact Anat Gerstein at 718-793-2211, ext. 100 or anat@anatgerstein.com. Or check out our website at www.anatgerstein.com.



anat gerstein inc.

Engaging stakeholders.
Connecting people to causes.
Building brand recognition and reputation.