880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
I am the VP of Content, Wrecked Media Group. Wrecked Media Group is an Ohio-based media company created in 2020 to acquire and build automotive-focused media businesses. Current properties include EV Pulse and FlatSixes.com. EV Pulse is our flagship property covering the entire gamut of electrification in transportation. While there is a focus on retail EV ownership, we also have fleet and commercial coverage, future autonomy tech, and really anything that is interesting that isn’t straight petrol or diesel power. I’m a cofounder of the company and my day-to-day is making sure the beast is fed. My business partner owns an IT business in Northwest Ohio and handles the business side of things. Additionally, we have two full-time employees currently. Our video producer lives in the Shelby Township area near Detroit and we have an associate editor who lives in Los Angeles.
Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now?
If it’s the future, I’m interested in covering it for EV Pulse. EVs, PHEVs, hydrogen power and more fall under our coverage radar. Also autonomous vehicle tech interests us and our audience. We’re working on expanding a YouTube channel so story angles that can include that are preferred.
Describe the craziest or most fun story you have written.
Since this isn’t my first time responding to this questionnaire, I feel like I probably already used my most exciting story. However, I enjoy covering things in a unique or interesting way. For example, the recent Ford Pro program in Sonoma was not a traditional drive program that way that automotive reviewers are used to, and provided more in-depth knowledge of what the company’s plans are as a whole, which adds great context. Also, getting to meet Francis Ford Coppola was pretty sweet.
What story or stories are you most proud of?
I like covering things that I feel like they really matter. I recently had a chance to drive an electric HD pickup truck prototype from Magna that felt like a legit paradigm shift in HD trucks. I recently drove the first retail consumer Ultium platform product — the Hummer EV — and it’ll be great to look back on it from a historical context and and be able to say “I was there, and this what it was like.”
What elements or characteristics do you look for in a story, and why?
There’s gotta be a hook. If the story has a unique or interesting angle I’m a sucker for it. Even if it’s a different way to explain something that’s already popular, I love being able to have my preconceived notions challenged.
How long have you been in journalism and how did you get started?
I stumbled into the field by helping a friend who was purchasing a car. Now I’ve been doing this for 7 to 8 years. Don’t ever burn a bridge unless you absolutely have to, because this is a small industry and you never know when you might need a favor from someone in the future.
Finish this sentence: If I am not reporting, I am …
If I’m not reporting I’m probably spending way too much time scrolling TikTok or geeking out over the 100 different Star Trek TV shows on Paramount+.
What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch you?
Target the pitch to me. While I hate to admit that I’m more likely to read a pitch if I already know you, that’s just sorta how humans work. But if you have something that can grab my attention early on — a catchy headline or good first sentence — I’m more likely to give it a read. Please be relevant to what I cover.
Any pet peeves with PR people?
“Spray and pray” PR needs to stop. It’s easy to find out what industry I cover. Also don’t get crappy if I don’t respond to your pitch. It’s okay to follow up if you really think it’s important — sometimes I miss an email — but be polite. Also, learn how to use BCC: if you aren’t using a mail list program. Someone will always reply-all if you don’t and then I end up frustrated and sub-tweeting about you and the other person who doesn’t understand email on Twitter.
Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.)
I’m a 38 year old single male who enjoys… oh wait, wrong type of article. I currently live in Ohio but will likely be moving to the Detroit area soonish. As our business grows and expands my need to be even closer to the action is becoming greater. I try to not take myself too seriously — we’re just talking about cars here — and I gravitate towards smart people who also don’t take themselves too seriously. We’re not on this planet long enough to get bent out of shape over trivial things.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?
If you ever ask a car journalist what car to buy, we’re probably going to say that your car you’ve already chosen is fine. Most people want their purchase decision validated so we just capitulate rather than have to defend our position. But if you genuinely want my advice personally, feel free to reach out. I genuinely love helping people.
In addition to the EV Pulse website at evpulse.com, I’ve been making the media rounds lately.
You can follow Chad and EV Pulse on Twitter at: @chadkirchner and @EVPulseOnline.
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880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
