“Rocket science is important, but what makes it interesting?” says Garrard McClendon, host of his own ChicagoLand TV  show  Monday through Saturday for a half-hour at 6 and 9:30 p.m.

McClendon uses every new-fangled new-media tool in the playbook, but says old-fashioned pitching tips still apply: be persistent, make sure your topic is newsworthy, and have a good answer for what makes your issue interesting. “Tell us what you do that’s great,” he says. “What is your content?”

Once-a-year pitchers (you know who you are) may not make their way onto McClendon’s show: he suggests you pitch early and often. Would-be sources should consider sending releases several times a week to gain his producers’ attention. “Tyra Banks sends out 2,500 press releases to the media on a daily basis,” he says. To grab his or his producers’ attention, nonprofits should send out their message on a constant basis with attention-grabbing subject lines and first paragraphs.

Specifically, he says news releases should be sent to wgntvinfo@tribune.com, adding “ATTN WGN” and “ATTN CLTV” to the subject line (CLTV is a property of Tribune Corp). When sending your press release make sure your issue is in the title and/or headline, said McClendon.

If you have a release about a fundraiser, or a long release that goes into depth, he has some advice for you: don’t bother. “No,” McClendon says. “Tell us what you have to offer.” Releases that announce fundraisers or go on too long get tossed, he says. He adds that he and the producers do not want to receive phone pitches. He does have a lot of ways for communicators to get in touch with him, learn more about content, and pitch. Here are a few:

• Online at CLTV
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Web/blog site

The show welcomes telephone calls, blog commentary, and Facebook interaction during the 6 p.m. half-hour time slot. The number to call is 877-358-CLTV and the voicemail is 773-883-3450. McClendon also provides the following contacts:

• Call me during the show, 630-575-TALK
• Call me after the show, 630-574-3232
• Speaking engagements, 312-226-4313
• Media Inquiries/ Garrard’s iPhone, 800-975-6044
• Garrard’s email
• Garrard’s Fax, 219-985-2806

Can a human being be more reachable than this?

This people to pitch reported and written by Jennifer Lacey. If you have a suggestion or request for someone we should profile send suggestions to her via email.