Where to Write

Menstuff® encourages writing advertisers, the government, talkshows, networks and network programs & shows. We list addresses, phone numbers and email or websites with hyperlinks where available. Action of the Week Responses.

Contact Your Senators

Actions to Take

Start a Grassroots Campaign

Tips on Writing Advertisers/Agencies About their Advertising
Tips on Contacting a Congressional Office

Other Government Resources
Federal Communications Commission

United Nations
English Parliment
Network and Cable Channels
Network Programs
Talkshows
Major Newspapers
Some Major Advertisers
Work with the Press
Anatomy of a Talk Show
Archives: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001

 

Tips on Writing Advertisers/Agencies About their Products, Advertising or Show Sponsorships

Who to write? At the client or agency level, write to the President or CEO. They may have given directions to automatically send letters to someone in PR, but I have had Presidents and CEOs respond. And, if it was their signature over a PR letter, at least you know it got a bit more attention a bit higher up the ladder. You can always cc: a brand manager or an account supervisor, if you can find out who they are, but that often requires a phone call.

How to get a contact name, address and phone number?  If you have access to a main library, or the phone number of one, get to the Business Reference Desk. For advertisers, ask for the Standard Directory of Advertisers (lovingly called "The Red Book"). It usually includes a directory of officers, and addresses and phone numbers for most of the divisions of many consumer products manufacturers.

Know the product name but not the company that makes it?  Again, the Standard Directory of Advertisers has a trademark index that includes many consumer products and directs you to the manufacturer.

What about the Advertising Agency that did the advertising?   The Red Book will often include in the manufacturer's listing the advertising agency responsible for many of the product lines. Once you know the agency, ask for the Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies. This book provides information about the agency's location, phone number, etc. and it usually includes a list of officers and/or department heads.

Copy the Industry Organizations
There are several advertising industry organizations that should be informed, though it might do little good except to make a point. For contact information

Send us a copy! Send us a blind carbon copy to make us aware of advertising of a regional nature or something we haven't seen yet and we'll post it in Media Watch. The more people we get to write, the more action that might be taken, and sooner. A twist on the title of Warren Farrell's new book, "Advertiser's and Agency's Can't Hear What Men Don't Say."

 

Tips on Contacting a Congressional Office

For those who wish to contact a member of Congress, email may be convenient but is ineffective. Old fashioned postal mail is the most effective means of communication (outside of a personal visit), especially if combined with a telephone call.

The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:

1. Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., House Bill:  H.R. ____, Senate Bill: S. ____.
2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.
3. Address only one issue in each letter, and if possible, keep the letter to one page.

Addressing Correspondence:

1. To a Senator:

The Honorable (full name)
___ (Rm.#) __ (name of Senate Office Building)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

2. To a Representative:

The Honorable (full name)
__ (Rm.#) __ (name of office building)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as: Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman, or Dear Mr. Speaker.

Calling Members:

There are essentially two telephone numbers you need to know when trying to call a member of Congress. They are the switchboard numbers for both the House and Senate. For both numbers, simply request the name of the Member and the operator will patch you through.

Switch Board: Senate 202.224.3121 House - 202.225.3121;
Clerks Office (House) 202.225.7000 www.clerkweb.house.gov
Secretary of the Senate 202.224.3622
Overall www.congress.org/contact.html
Senate: www.senate.gov
House: www.house.gov

 

1. Senate

Go to www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm or to www.senate.gov , go to the top of their page and click on "Contacting the Senate." If at any time you need your 5+4 zip code and don't know it, go to http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html or http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookups.htm and enter your street address and city.

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2. Representatives

The House does not provide information on the Representatives except on an individual basis. You generally have to click on the Representatives name, go to their website, and communicate from there. www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml All Representatives web sites are www.house.gov/(last name). If you don't know who your Representative is go to www.house.gov/writerep/ . Look up your Representative by inputting your state, city and zip code. If you don't know your zip code or it requires a 5+4 zip code, go to http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html and enter your street address and city.

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4. Other Government Resources

Federal Goverment Agencies:

 Statistical Agencies:

Advocacy Groups: www.cms.gov

Other Useful Sites:

Select Standing House Committees:

Select Standing Senate Committees:

5. Network and Cable Channels

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6. Network Shows & Programs


ABC

CBS:

CNBC:

CNN:

FOX:

MSNBC:

NBC:

WB:

Sacramento area:

San Francisco area:

Major Newspapers

Other Media:

7. Talkshows

Note: Interesting piece Anatomy of a Talk Show on how they choreograph and manipulate guests and set plants in the audience to challenge men. See also Network & Cable contacts, and Network Show contacts.

English Parliment


United Nations

Short List

World news guide

North American media

Media

New York Times
Washington Post
CNN

Government

US government portal
White House
Senate
House of Representatives
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He that has done nothing has known nothing. - Thomas Carlyle

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