Jill Martin
Verified
As seen in:
CNN,
Apple Podcasts,
CNN Business,
CNN en Español,
CNN International,
MSN,
MSN Canada,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News,
Yahoo News Malaysia
and
Covers:
sports, international sports, american sports, when sports intersect with society
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
It was a few weeks into my freshman year at UF. I was a writer for The Gator Times and did a preview on the Florida cross-country team.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, but I was a child.
How is social media changing news?
Mainly it just makes it so much faster to receive information. News truly is 24 hours worldwide.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I'll go with Clark Kent, as I would love to be able to fly.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means sharing facts and information that could be pertinent, interesting, or fun. And doing it accurately while making it look effortless.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
During the World Cup, I got a good laugh when I saw #WhoShotRobben, referring to Arjen Robben of the Netherlands, who takes a ton of dives.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
It's going to need a peg that will bring in audiences for neHLN and CNN, so it can't just be "sports" unless it's super-compelling by itself.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I have a desk job, so it's mainly going through media relations contacts, being on a countless number of email lists and using social media.
What's your favorite social network?
Probably Twitter, as it can be informative at one moment and make me laugh the next.
Who do you wish followed you?
I love sports, and I love informing people about cool sports stuff. It's thrilling to me when I can reach anyone with something like that.
Why did you become a journalist?
Ever since I was 8 years old, I've wanted to share interesting sports facts or content that I read or saw. That has never changed.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was the sports editor.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
That's like trying to ask me who my favorite child or person is. But Tony Gwynn's death touched so many people. I'll go with that one.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be proactive, and don't feel like you're being a complete pest when trying to ask people to clarify information to get the story right.
When's the best time to pitch you?
With email, any time is the best. And email is the preferred method.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.