“Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You”: Media Tour Secrets That Actually Work

Every morning, TV and radio producers sift through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of pitches, all promising something “worth covering.” But what makes them stop and say yes? Surprisingly, one of the best answers to that question came not from a newsroom, but from a comedy stage.

Actor and comedian Steve Martin once famously gave advice for finding success in the highly competitive world of show business – “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

It may sound simple, but it’s a powerful idea: instead of trying to get noticed, offer something so compelling, they can’t turn away.

It’s something media pros strive for when crafting ideas for TV and radio media tours – a highly successful way to get your message out to the masses. You know your brand is great, you know your story is great, but how do you cut through the newsroom noise to make your pitch the one producers take?

It’s Not About the Mic, It’s About the Message

At Bridgenext, we take this kind of creative approach to every tour. Media tours aren’t just about booking time slots; they’re about crafting moments that matter, whether it’s for nonprofit, a CPG brand, or a tech innovator trying to show up differently in a crowded market. The most impactful pitches aren’t always the ones with the biggest names or budgets. They’re the ones that make a producer feel something: curiosity, urgency, relevance. They tap into a human moment, something visual, tangible, and emotionally resonant.

The content we craft is tailored to be strong and strategic. It’s exactly what guided one of our recent campaigns.

Case in Point: Teaching CPR on Live TV

One of our recent campaigns with a nationally recognized nonprofit made this crystal clear. Their goal? Encourage parents to learn CPR. Rather than tell the story through a press release or generic talking points, we helped them show it, literally. We developed a media tour concept around live CPR demonstrations, using pediatric manikins and trained professionals to give real-time lessons on how easy it is to save a life. The result?

• Interviews in top markets
• Multiple in-studio demonstration requests
• A prime-time segment in New York City
• More than just exposure, it sparked a real conversation

The key wasn’t the message. It was the way we brought the message to life.

When planning your next media tour, you might want to ask:

• What can you offer for the eyes and ears?
• Can you take viewers and listeners somewhere exciting like the bustling floor of a conference, a manufacturing assembly line or a lab?
• Is there a real-world hook that makes my pitch unskippable?

If you’re only thinking about “getting coverage”, you’re already behind. Today’s most effective media appearances are experiences, designed for producers and audiences.

Let’s Make Your Story Unignorable

If there are opportunities to break the mold, you may be just the thing they can’t ignore. Whether you’re launching a new product, spreading awareness, or trying to break through a saturated news cycle, we’re here to help you shape a media tour pitch that stands out, by design.

Not louder. Better.

Not “just another interview.” A story worth remembering.

Let us help you create a concept for your next media campaign. Contact our Content Studio team to find out more.