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Meet the Media: Tim Keenan, Managing Editor at DBusiness

Tim Keenan is managing editor at DBusiness magazine. He writes feature articles, edits the work of their contributors, proofreads and makes corrections to the magazine as it’s getting ready to be published.

Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now? We’re looking for any stories about business trends or interesting businesses doing interesting or novel things in the metro Detroit area and the State of Michigan. Articles about mobility, electrification and the changing face of the auto industry are big topics these days.

Describe the craziest or most fun story you have written. Back in the day: I covered Pope John Paul II’s visit to Detroit; WrestleMania III at the Silverdome was interesting; driving the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Brickyard 400 pace car on the track at Indy was pretty exciting; an Audi ride-and-drive on the Autobahn was an experience.

What story or stories are you most proud of? The story I wrote for Corvette Quarterly in 1989 about the original seven astronauts and their Corvettes and the investigative report for Ward’s Auto World on the problems with GM’s Lordstown Assembly Plant caused Rick Waggoner to tell my wife (with a smile) at a party to make me stop picking on them.

What elements or characteristics do you look for in a story? Well, that depends on the audience of the publication in question. At DBusiness, it’s all about the local angle. How does the story impact the local company? How does the local company impact the industry, nation or world?

How long have you been in journalism and how did you get started? I’ve been involved in and out and in journalism for 37 years, starting as a sports reporter, then sports editor, then editor-in-chief of the Eastern Echo, Eastern Michigan University’s student newspaper.

Finish this sentence: If I am not reporting, I am … At work: Looking for stories and trying to put out the best DBusiness editions possible. At home: Reading history and watching TV shows related to history.

What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch you? A. Do it via email. B. Make sure it’s about a local company or that the story being pitched has local impact. C. If you don’t hear back relatively quickly, the pitch probably didn’t hit the target.

Any pet peeves with PR people? The ones who persist when they don’t hit the target.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.) I’ve been married to Laurie for 20 years. We have two teenage children. I love history, auto racing, golf, watching baseball and football, and singing in my church choir (for 50 years).

You can follow DBusiness on Twitter at: @Dbusiness

Check out some of Tim’s recent articles:

– FCA’s Pentastar Engine Production Hits 10-Million Mark
– Ann Arbor’s May Mobility Adds $22M in New Investment for its Self-driving Shuttles
– Plymouth Township’s Freudenberg Secures Majority Interest in Battery, Fuel Cell Company XALT Energy