ABOUT BACKFEED
The pitch inbox was designed for a smaller, more concentrated media world. It now connects expanding PR activity with a democratised media ecosystem through a one-way process that gives neither side what it needs.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The world needs rigorous, independent journalism to inform people, challenge institutions and support accountable societies. The system around that work must become more sustainable.
When PR works better and more value reaches journalism, the whole media ecosystem becomes healthier.
THE BOUNDARY
Payment is for a journalist's time and independent feedback—never coverage, access or favourable treatment.The original pitch is preserved. The journalist's response remains their own. Every editorial decision stays independent.
ONE OUTDATED PROTOCOL
Most journalists receive more pitches than they can realistically assess. Valuable ideas are buried, automated volume obscures careful work and there is rarely time to explain why a pitch is not right.
Clients pay PR firms to secure attention, but too much work disappears into unread email. PR teams cannot reliably explain what failed or how a pitch should be reshaped for a particular target.
Independent journalists, specialist publications, newsletters, podcasts and emerging formats matter increasingly to society. They need more ways to earn beyond advertising.
WHAT BACKFEED IS
Backfeed creates a governed layer that moves exact pitches forward and sends useful information and commercial value back. PR professionals pay for an independent assessment. Journalists earn for their time and judgement. Identity, privacy, payment, deadlines, clarification and refunds follow clear rules.
In electrical systems, backfeed describes energy travelling in the reverse of its usual direction. Here, useful editorial judgement travels back through a system that historically allowed pitches to move in only one direction.
MORE PRODUCTIVE PR
Reduce blind outreach and deliver better-informed client service.
BETTER CLIENT INTELLIGENCE
Help clients understand why an idea missed and how the next pitch should change.
MORE SUSTAINABLE JOURNALISM
Independent media gains income beyond advertising for expertise it already applies.
A HEALTHIER SOCIETY
Stronger journalism supports informed people and accountable institutions.
FOUR PRODUCT PRINCIPLES
Payment never creates an obligation to publish or respond favourably.
Journalist participation, contact routes, profiles and tiers remain private.
The submitted pitch and delivered feedback remain the author's own words.
Payments, deadlines, clarification and refunds follow visible rules.
BETTER PR. SUSTAINABLE JOURNALISM.