Stan Szecowka has joined an increasing number of news staff appearing in their own papers – inviting readers to call them direct.

The Bristol Evening Post deputy editor gazes out of the page at readers and urges them to call his number with feedback or story ideas.

The Post began the feature two weeks ago after seeing it used on another paper.

Stan explained: “I think it was one of our reporters who’d been on holiday. He told us that he’d seen it done on a morning newspaper so we thought it might be worth a try.”

And the results have been good.

Stan said: “I would say, on average, we’re getting about one front page lead a week through the appeal.

“It’s not uncommon for me to come into work in the morning and find about 20 voicemail messages waiting for me.

“I make a point of responding to everyone who gets in touch – I think that’s very important.”

While the appeal brings in useful story ideas, it also has other uses.

Stan explained: “We get calls about all sorts of things. People like being able to reach a familiar face and we get some excellent feedback about the paper. They also suggest campaigns we could adopt.

“It is time-consuming, but then isn’t everything?”

Stories that have come to light as a direct result of Stan’s picture include a group of Mozambique tribal dancers who paid Bristol a visit.

Stan explained: “I got a call saying that these dancers had been practicing their routines in a local park. It ended up making a brilliant picture story.”

The feature is something that he can see catching on.

He said: “It’s a simple idea but it works. As long as there’s someone willing to be the public face of the paper, a sort of frontman, then it’s worth doing.”

One assistant editor who is happy to fulfill the ‘front man’ role, is Alf Bennett, of the Birmingham Evening Mail.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: “We have been doing it for years. It’s been going very well.

“Other papers do it, and I’m sure more will join them in the future.”

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