TechRadar and T3
Relaunches, new cover formats, advertorials and tech content for a global audience, were just a few of the subjects and PR tips exclusively revealed by TechRadar’s editor-in-chief, Patrick Goss, and T3’s editor, Rob Carney, and online editor, Dan Grabham, at a Gorkana media briefing this week.
TechRadar is a UK consumer tech website described as the go-to destination for opinions, exclusives and authoritative reviews on everything from mobile phones and tablets to the latest cameras and televisions.
Reaching more than 20 million unique users globally a month, TechRadar is the largest UK-based consumer tech news and reviews site, and is consistently mentioned by Future, publisher of both T3 and TechRadar, as one of its most successful brands. The ecommerce potential of the site is a key aspect of Future’s strategy.
T3’s mission is to “help our audience live a better life through technology, and to filter the latest gadgets to ensure our readers only ever buy the best of the best.”
Last year, the lifestyle tech brand re-designed its magazine, website, digital edition and award ceremony, and added a free print supplement, T3 Squared, which covers a different category of technology in each monthly edition.
New sections were added to the print edition, including T3 Hype, T3 Agenda, T3 Select and T3 Elite. Several new channels were also added to the site, including Wearables, Living, Auto and Entertainment.
Here are a just a few key top tips that Goss, Carney and Grabham revealed at yesterday’s briefing:
TechRadar
Launched in 2008, TechRadar’s brand mission is to offer the best possible tech buying advice to consumers, and is described as the “UK’s biggest tech site” with 4.4 million+ monthly users.
TechRadar covers everything tech, from the £20 product on Amazon to the latest offering from Apple. It has a global audience, which reached 26 million across three continents in September.
Specificity isn't necessarily a bad thing – you can't appeal to everyone @PatrickGoss #GorkanaT3TechRadar
— Lorna (@lornaocomms) November 22, 2016
T3
T3 is about aspirational tech. The print magazine, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, only includes the “best products” out there. “It’s about bringing tech into your lifestyle,” said editor Rob Carney.
T3.com, which has 360,000 monthly users, is “more select” to distinguish itself from TechRadar. It might cover mid-range products like the iPhone SE, but not the cheaper handsets.
"We aim to bring tech to your lifestyle" – morning briefing with @T3dotcom @techradar #GorkanaT3TechRadar
— Champion Communications: We Champion. You Grow. (@championcomms) November 22, 2016
Readers
T3’s readership is 93% male (average age 30 – 40) and they are pretty affluent. “They won’t buy £100 smartphone, they’ll want the iPhone 7+”, said online editor Dan Grabham. While it depends on the product, the lowest price point for a phone on T3, for example, will be around £200.
For TechRadar, the audience is anyone searching for a product online. While it might lean towards a more male audience, its global reach means it’s less easy to define.
.@techradar's large readership means they cover all tech from the cheaper stuff to the high end items #GorkanaT3TechRadar
— Babel PR (@BabelPR) November 22, 2016
Tips for PRs
PRs should approach both the print and online teams when getting in touch with T3. They work closely together, but their content is different. Email is best for both T3 and TechRadar.
The trio recommended that PRs try and capture their attention in the emails they send,Be clear about the product, don’t write your subject line in CAPS, offer help on an angle for the team when pitching, and try to build face-to-face relationships – the team is more likely to read an email from someone they know.
Tech editors on press launches: no hard sell, no elevator pitch, free drinks won't swing it #gorkanaT3techradar
— Sarah Beerbohm (@prsarahb) November 22, 2016