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Mark Phillips on Muck Rack

Mark Phillips

Akron
Covers:  automotive, automotive parts, automobiles, iphone apps, energy, distribution, retail, technology, transportation, new products, business management, trade shows, human resources, sales
Automotive aftermarket journalist

Interview

What was your first job as a journalist?

First real job: Crime reporter.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes. My family inherited an 1800s desk with a fold-out typewriter. You had to practically stand on the keys to make it work.

How is social media changing news?

Levels the playing field a bit, no?

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Michael Keaton's character from the movie, "The Paper." Fantastic.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

To be skeptical, all the time.

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

By email, of course! :)

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

Anything to get the job done: Google docs, Apple Pages, Twitter, FB, iPhone, iPad (mini and full-size varieties), GIMP to edit photos

What's your favorite social network?

Twitter

Why did you become a journalist?

To have fun, go interesting places

Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?

Yes. I wrote album reviews. Just because they'd let me.

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

A series about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, written from NYC. A very difficult series to write.

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Keep writing. A lot.

When's the best time to pitch you?

All day

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