Gard Account Manager Connor McCarthy’s media experience helps him make a difference for clients
Before he joined Gard as an account manager in 2024, Connor McCarthy was a reporter who worked for KEZI 9 News in Eugene and for FOX 12 Oregon in the Portland Metro area.
“As a general assignment reporter, I had to come into the newsroom every day with story ideas,” Connor says.
As a reporter, Connor’s main job was getting interviews and B-roll, then going live at the end of the day, always on standby for any breaking news. How that helps Connor navigate public relations is knowing what a reporter wants and what they are looking for.
“I have that reporter brain and am able to tell clients and consult with them on exactly what that specific newsroom or reporter is looking for to get that earned media coverage,” he says. “As a public relations professional, you help guide a story to a reporter, offering a full plate of quotes, media assets (photos and videos), and information about the story you are pitching.”
In the following clip, Connor talks about the overlap between news and public relations and how his background in media helps his clients at Gard.
Being a former journalist, and now a PR-driven account manager, Connor has seen how traditional media is trying to adapt to a digital world. There are also new avenues for people to get their news, such as TikTok or podcasters, so it’s important to understand the different ways to navigate the new media world.
Here, Connor shares his perspective on how the media landscape is changing – and how Gard has adapted to ensure that clients are getting the coverage they deserve.