OAKLAND, CA, Nov. 6, 2009 (Marketwire) --

OAKLAND, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/06/09 -- PR professionals who want to pierce the mystery of freelance journalists and use these independent writers to dramatically increase their media coverage will find answers at a new PR University audio conference titled: "Pitching Freelancers for Maximum Press: How PR Can Win Major Coverage via Contributors and Stringers Despite Newsroom Layoffs."

This exclusive PR University audio conference takes place on Thursday, November 19th, at 1PM EDT (noon CDT, 11AM MDT; 10AM PDT). The panel consists of:

Eileen Gunn, Contributor, TheStreet.com, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, US News & World Report, Worth, Smart Money, Best Life, Business 2.0, Working Mother, Self, Glamour, Parents, New York Post; Author, "Your Career Is an Extreme Sport"

Christopher Elliott, Host, "What You Get for the Money: Vacations," Fine Living Network; Reader Advocate, National Geographic Traveler; Columnist, MSNBC.com

Catherine Winters, Contributor, Prevention, Ladies' Home Journal, MediZine, Health Monitor, Health

Helen Kaiao Chang, Contributor, San Diego News Network, MSNBC.com, Fodors.com, Time, BusinessWeek, SanDiego Business Journal

Christine Tatum, Contributor, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, News & Record (Greensboro, N.C.)

This 90-minute conference will help PR professionals how to find, target and build relationships with the nation's most successful freelancers. Long considered the "back door" to front page coverage, the best freelancers enjoy extensive networks of top press contacts -- including those you've given up as lost causes or "tough hits." What's more, these trusted contributors know exactly what the widest-reaching outlets want, and how to craft pitches that work. That's because their daily bread depends on getting the nod from editorial gatekeepers who usually wouldn't give a PR pitch a second look. Learn the secrets of their success by joining this exclusive panel of top freelancers -- many with brand-name bylines. They'll share how they craft winning pitch letters, how to make the jump into their Rolodexes -- and how best to work with them and their freelance colleagues across the country so PR professionals can finally win the ink they, their client, product or service deserve.