About Inside Edge
Since its 2005 launch, Inside Edge: Public Relations & Media Services has helped entrepreneurs and organizations seeking relevant and creative communications, ranging from public and media relations to marketing, social media and strategic services.
Reporters, editors, producers and radio hosts regard pitches and news releases from Inside Edge PR as material well worth their consideration. Under the leadership of founder Matt Baron, the firm consistently generates engaging and timely stories that provide clients with what they want–and it’s by giving media outlets what they need: legitimate news.
Inside Edge PR news releases are written with the media in mind: no puffery, no thinly veiled ads, no sophomoric exclamation points. As a result, it’s not unusual for publications to publish our clients’ news releases with little, if any, alteration. In addition, television, radio and cyber-media outlets also consistently dedicate coverage to Inside Edge-generated story ideas.
Of course, the media is far from the only communication portal that we tap into. Inside Edge PR empowers clients with thoughtful, relevant and often-entertaining communication via their websites, newsletters and other marketing materials targeted to clients, prospects and business peers.
To see some specifics about what Inside Edge PR has done for delighted clients, swing by our Success Stories.
Matt Baron
founder of Inside Edge: Public Relations & Media Services, has crafted stories professionally since 1984, when he was a 15-year-old kid with an addiction to Sports Illustrated and, peculiarly enough, Charles Dickens.
For two decades thereafter, Matt shed his Dickensian bent, but maintained his SI passion, as he reported for small-town weeklies, big-city dailies, and national magazines.
Along the way, he helped root out local government corruption, developed a superheroic immunity to Tax Increment Financing-related stories and even drove the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in connection with a feature assignment.
His work has appeared in dozens of publications, including Time, USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. For a six-year period, Matt was one of the most prolific reporters for the Tribune. In 2004, while covering three communities, he wrote more than 350 stories ranging from local government coverage to business features to breaking news.
Now, along with his team of associates, Matt provides the inside edge that connects clients with media decision-makers. It comes not only through strong media connections, but a firsthand knowledge of the mindset and challenges that confront reporters, editors, producers and other media decision-makers.
Since 2001, through workshops, webinars and columns, Matt has trained thousands of reporters, editors, publicists and other business leaders on various facets of the story-telling process. Topics include interviewing techniques, numerical literacy, and working effectively with reporters under deadline pressure.
In addition, respected PR firms such as GolinHarris and Edelman have retained Matt’s counsel for all-day training sessions on media crisis management and developing positive relations with the media.
In 1990, Matt received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism (since re-named to something resembling the length and breadth of a James Joyce sentence). For more than 10 years, he has regularly been a guest lecturer for Medill graduate- and undergraduate-level classes.
He is a member of Harvest Bible Chapel, the Alliance of Creative Professionals, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce. While not shooting free throws ambidextrously (83% lefty, 77% righty in 2011), Matt resides in the Chicago area with his wife and 102-month-old twin children, whose basketball teams he has coached to a combined 3-1 record so far this winter.
Recommendations
As originally offered at LinkedIn.com
“For nearly a quarter of a century I have wished there were more people like Matt Baron in the world. I believe that Matt’s truly rare and unique gifts as a veteran writer, humorist, presenter, math genius, advocate for social justice and public relations guru (to name but a few) come from his deep sense of integrity. Matt is a man of his word, who consistently delivers on all fronts. Most of all, Matt Baron is a true friend. He makes everything look so easy – but he’s really all about hard work, and for all the right reasons. Matt’s boundless enthusiasm isn’t just infectious, it’s highly communicable. I congratulate anyone fortunate enough to call Matt Baron a member of their team.”
David Ackerman, Writer/Director, Citizen Pictures
“Matt is first a very good journalist, a true wordsmith. This gives him a great foundation for being an effective PR practitioner. I see that he cares deeply about his clients’ success and is a hard worker. He’s also a great collaborator.”
Jason Sherman, Owner, SHERMAN communications & marketing, inc.
“I’ve worked with many writers and PR professionals — Matt stands out as one of the best with his talent, his insights, and his professionalism. He exceeds expectations on many levels to produce outstanding results. And… he’s a cool guy to work with. I look forward to many more collaborations in the future.”
Sherri Lasko, Owner, Lasko Design & Marketing
“Matt is an excellent trainer, writer, entrepreneur and friend. I have recommended his workshops, services and web sites repeatedly.”
Steve Buttry, Writing Coach/National Correspondent, Omaha World-Herald
“WOW! What an impressive guy! Matt really works hard to exceed goals and client expectations. He consistently goes way above and beyond the call of duty on his projects! He is someone I do not hesitate to work with or recommend. I feel very lucky to know him.”
Ria Davidson, Principal, Ria Davidson Communications
“I’ve known Matt for several years now, and I wish only the best for him. Matt Baron is one of those people who seems to have it all. He’s a gifted wordsmith, an engaging speaker, a true professional, a genuinely good person and a great family man. Plus, he’s really tall. You know, I don’t think that’s really fair, now that I think about it. He must have some flaws. Maybe he doesn’t turn in his library books on time.”
Geoff Williams, freelance journalist, self-employed
“I worked with Matt during my time at the Beacon-News when he worked for our sister paper The Courier-News in Elgin. Matt was a first-class reporter who set the agenda for the other reporters on his beat.”
Bill Catching, Reporter, The Beacon-News