INDUSTRY PROFILES
Sebastian van der Zwan - Media
Q.
Give us a snapshot of your career to date and an overview of your current role?
I started off as a subeditor at New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, slowly working my way up to associate editor. I then headed off to Sydney to be international editor at Woman’s Day Australia and I’m now back in Aotearoa as deputy editor at Woman’s Day New Zealand, where I do a lot of writing, editing and proofing.
Q.
What are you looking for from PRs – and what kind of pitch would get an immediate response?
I’m looking for exclusive celebrity or real-life stories with strong angles that’ll really grab our readers. If there’s an obvious headline in the pitch, you’ve got me from the start!
Q.
Do you prefer email or phone pitches, and what is the best time of day/day of the week to catch you?
I prefer an email pitch so I can respond in my own time, but if it’s a good story or there’s urgency, don’t be afraid to call! Contact me any day but Thursday as that’s our big deadline day and my mind is usually elsewhere.
Q.
During your career, what has your experience been like working with PRs?
There are some brilliant PRs out there who are fantastic at their jobs and I’m lucky enough to count as friends. But I’ve had bad experiences too. It’s like any industry.
Q.
Do you attend many media events and if so, what kind?
As much as I love a night on the couch, it’s important I attend events to make contacts, get story ideas and keep up with the things that make our readers tick – movies, music, TV etc. If there’s alcohol involved, I may even ask a celeb for a selfie – the things you do for social media!
Q.
What do you love about your job?
Meeting incredible people and going to amazing places. Last week, I choppered down to Abel Tasman National Park to hang out with Harry and Meghan, and I’ve also interviewed some of my idols, including Mel B, Melanie C, Sissy Spacek, Tippi Hedren and Dame Jane Goodall.
Q.
What's the downside?
Long hours in the office and millions of emails.
Q.
Describe a typical day:
Oh, gawd, just picture me bashing away at a keyboard for nine hours.
Q.
If you weren't doing what you do now… what would you be doing?
A psychic once told me I should chuck it all in and become a DoC ranger, which is actually really appealing. I’m a total bird nerd and I love hiking.
Q.
Your Socials: (Email/Instagram/Twitter)