Bio

Vanessa Gedney serves as a Segment Producer for Real Time with Bill Maher. In regards to how she prefers to receive pitches, she says, "Email, please. I keep my emails and sometimes will call a publicist a year or two after regarding their client. I really do mean it when I say, "I’ll keep you in mind." Emailed pitches are very helpful for that. Also, there are four producers who work with guests on our show. No need to send a separate email to each of us. Just email all of us and one of us will get back to you." She goes on to say, "If you are pitching a guest for a one-on-one interview, I like an email to include a brief bio on the guest and a topic that they would discuss along with a clip or two of them doing similar media. If you are pitching a guest for panel, then a bio and a clip or two of them doing a panel or debate-style format. For panels, we’re looking for people who can discuss anything that comes up in the news over the course of the week. So, choose your clips to illustrate that." Gedney mentions that items that are efficient and being well thought out catch her attention. She also says, "Always know who you are pitching and tailor your pitch for that show or host. You’d be surprised at how far that goes!" Gedney has a few pet peeves, and says, "Being pitched topics that are completely inappropriate. For instance, why pitch a dating segment to a current event/news show? Also, I’m not a big fan of really long pitches because I get so many emails every day. And finally, please make sure that you are spelling the name of the show/host correctly, or actually pitching the right show! You’d be surprised at how many “Real Time with Bill Moyers” pitches I’ve received over the years." Lastly, she says to not contact her via social media. Email is best.