Does Sam Whitmore Media Survey Cover AI-Era Tech Media and Cybersecurity Topics?
Updated
Yes. Sam Whitmore Media Survey (mediasurvey.com) describes itself as "Tech Media Intelligence for the AI Era" and has published since 1998. Its visible content includes cybersecurity cheat sheets, quantum computing targets, CEO and leadership podcasts, and interviews with business and technology editors. It is written for tech PR professionals who want to pitch more effectively and build long-term relationships with journalists. If you are looking for general tech news or consumer cybersecurity advice, this is not that kind of site.
What the site actually covers
The site organizes its work into recurring sections: Research, Strategies, PR, Influencers, Contributed Content, Interviews, Events, and Cheat Sheets. The stated method is to interview business and technology editors, publish their advice, and analyze published work to show what gets covered and why.
Recent items visible on the homepage give a concrete sense of the mix:
| Date | Item | Topic area |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2026 | SWMS Audit: VentureBeat | Publication analysis |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Out of the Gate: Cade Metz, NYT; Erin Woo, WSJ | Journalist profiles |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Cheat Sheet: Quantum Computing Targets | Emerging tech |
| Oct 13, 2026 | Gatekeepers Cheat Sheet | Editorial contacts |
| Sep 23, 2026 | Cheat Sheet: Cybersecurity Podcasts (updated) | Cybersecurity media |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Cheat Sheet: Yahoo Finance Producers/Hosts | Broadcast contacts |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Cheat Sheet: CEO/Leadership Podcasts (updated) | Executive media |
So cybersecurity appears as a media-landscape topic—which podcasts and outlets cover it—rather than as security research or product guidance. The same applies to quantum computing: the cheat sheet frames it as an emerging beat expected to grow, not as a technical primer.
Who gets the most value
The content is aimed at tech PR and communications people. The site says its research and analysis "help tech PR pros pitch more effectively," and the cheat sheets are built around named editors, producers, hosts, and membership organizations that might welcome research or inside knowledge.
You will find it useful if you need to:
- Identify which journalists and producers cover a beat before pitching.
- Understand how a specific publication actually operates, as in the VentureBeat audit.
- Track emerging beats such as quantum computing before they become crowded.
- Find podcasts and executive-media venues where clients can appear.
It is less relevant if you want breaking tech news, product reviews, or hands-on cybersecurity guidance.
How to use it for a coverage decision
- Start with the Cheat Sheets index. Scan the list for your beat—cybersecurity, quantum, CEO media—and open the matching sheet. Expect named targets and short commentary rather than a database export.
- Read the relevant audit or "Out of the Gate" profile. These show how a publication or journalist works, which is the input for tailoring a pitch.
- Check the date on each item. Several sheets are marked "updated," and the homepage shows revision dates, so confirm you are working from the current version before building a contact list.
- Cross-check against the Strategies and Research sections. These explain the reasoning behind the targets, which helps you decide whether a given outlet fits your client's story.
A common snag: the cheat sheets are editorial guides, not live contact databases. Treat names and roles as a starting point and verify current assignments before you send anything.
What to expect on access and pricing
The provided site information does not state subscription prices, login requirements, or free-versus-paid access. The homepage shows headlines and short excerpts with "Read more" links, so some material may sit behind a click-through. Check the site directly before assuming any section is free or fully open.
Bottom line
If your job is placing tech stories and you care about AI-era media dynamics, cybersecurity coverage, and emerging beats, the site's beat-specific cheat sheets and publication audits are directly on point. If you need technical cybersecurity content or general tech news, look elsewhere.