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Meet the Media, Sarah Kominek, Automotive & Medical Reporter at Plastics News

Sarah Kominek is the automotive and medical reporter at Plastics News, Crain Communications.

Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now?

Electric battery technology, vehicle light weighting, laboratory plastics innovations and processors’ shift to the medical market due to COVID-19.

Describe the craziest or most fun story you have written.

This year, I wrote an interesting story about Louisiana environmental activists Anne Rolfes and Kate McIntosh who were charged with terrorizing for leaving boxes of plastic nurdles on the porches of lobbyists. It’s always a fun challenge when there are a lot of perspectives and facts to report in a way that’s easy for people outside of the situation to understand.

What story or stories are you most proud of?

I like stories where I get to chat with multiple expert sources about the state of the plastics sectors I cover. It’s always great to get a birds-eye view of the dots you’ve been connecting in your reporting.

What elements or characteristics do you look for in a story?

I like to see the most important facts and quotes up front. Get to the point. Make it clear and concise.

How long have you been in journalism and how did you get started?

I’ve worked professionally in journalism since 2018. I started as an entertainment and politics reporter at the Arab American News in Dearborn, Mich.

Finish this sentence: If I am not reporting, I am …

Sailing

What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch you?

Read my stories first, to make sure your pitch goes well with my niche coverage of the plastics industry.

Any pet peeves with PR people?

Cold calls/emails about things that are in no way relevant to the things I cover. I don’t have time to respond to all of the emails about car insurance prices and lease data. If it isn’t plastics-heavy, I’m not interested.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.)

Before I became a journalist, I sailed traditionally rigged tallships professionally. Now I sail community races on Lake St. Clair. I did the Port Huron to Mackinac Island race this year!

Check out some of Sarah’s recent articles:

Variety, affordability key for future consumer EV adoption

Ford drops bumper recycling program

Continental, Aft form joint venture to make plastic couplings for hybrid, electric cars

You can follow Plastics News on Twitter at: @plasticsnews

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