How PR Pros Can Reach New Health Director at Women’s Health

Women's Health (circ: 1.5 million) is a women’s consumer health magazine that covers health, fitness, nutrition, sex & relationships, beauty, fashion and other general lifestyle topics. The demographic is women in their 20s and 30s. The magazine runs on a four-six month lead time, so any short-lead news hooks will not be applicable. However, their “Scoop” page can be held for the last minute for any new treatments, surveys or quick briefs that apply.

A new health director was named in November -- Sascha de Gersdorff, whose prior position was executive editor for Boston Home. She replaced Jennifer Rainey Marquez, who is now a senior editor for O, The Oprah Magazine.

Sascha recently spoke with me about the best ways to score ink with the magazine. Here are her areas of interest and tips for pitching Women’s Health magazine: 

Make Your Pitch Relate to National Conversation: While the magazine is always interested in chronic health conditions that are of interest to their audience (PMS, fitness, migraine, sexual health), they react to what’s being discussed on the national stage. They are currently looking into pieces on fidelity and sexual addition, as a result of the Tiger Woods’ scandal. They are also looking into pieces that give tips on how to be healthy and what that means for your wallet, in light of HC Reform conversations. They are not currently working on any specific disease category but will be interested if your pitch relates to the current hot topic.

Send New Diagnostic Research/Studies: They are always working on fitness and general health stories, but always want new diagnostic research and studies to be used as part of a larger story. If they write a story on a study, the study has to be huge not only in scope but in the research itself – a revolutionary treatment for breast cancer, etc. The studies should be offered along with medical experts who are either lead study investigators or true experts in their field. They like to keep experts in their files for future use.

Consumer Surveys Must Be Scientific: The magazine is always looking to publish surveys that speak to a wide audience and have some “did you know” element. However, the surveys should be based in science.

Don’t Tie Pitch to Awareness Months: while they like a news hook for a pitch, the only awareness month they really cover is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Tie your pitch to a trend or prevalence statistic. If prevalence has gone up, that is the news hook.

Pitch Preference: Sascha prefers to be contacted via email. She asks that all pitch emails be a short paragraph or two, and should identify your client in the body of the email.