Quick Answer:Maharashtra's top media contacts include Lokmat, Sakal, Maharashtra Times, ABP Majha, TV9 Marathi, and Zee 24 Taas. The best time to pitch is Tuesday–Thursday between 10:30 AM–1:30 PM. Always paste copyable press release text directly in the email body—never send locked PDFs.
In the public relations and corporate communications landscape of Maharashtra, securing earned media coverage is the ultimate credibility builder. Whether you are a startup founder in Pune looking for venture visibility, a corporate brand in Mumbai launching a CSR initiative, or an artist debuting a cultural showcase, getting featured in the news starts with knowing who to contact. Below is the most comprehensive, verified 2026 directory of newspapers, television assigners, and digital editors across Maharashtra, curated by Media Mirch.
Table of Contents
1. Newspapers
Print media remains a powerful driver of public opinion and credibility in India. Below are the key newspapers in Maharashtra, categorized by region.
Mumbai Desks
Publication | Language | Key Contact Desk | Email Contact | PR Submission Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lokmat | Marathi | Mumbai Desk Editor | lokmatpr@lokmat.com | Focus on civic initiatives and local development stories. |
Maharashtra Times | Marathi | City News Desk | mtonline@timesgroup.com | Submit high-quality photographs with Marathi press copy. |
Sakal | Marathi | Mumbai Bureau Head | sakalmumbai@esakal.com | Interested in educational, cultural, and community updates. |
Mid-Day | English | City Editor | reporter@mid-day.com | Prefers hyper-local civic stories and lifestyle content. |
Times of India | English | Mumbai City Desk | toimumbaidesk@timesgroup.com | Keep pitch extremely brief. Use bullet points for key facts. |
Indian Express | English | Metro Assignment Editor | mumbaieditorial@expressindia.com | Focus on civic policies, healthcare, and infrastructure updates. |
Pune Desks
Publication | Language | Key Contact Desk | Email Contact | PR Submission Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sakal Pune | Marathi | City News Room | sakalpune@esakal.com | Sakal dominates Pune. Focus on local academic, tech, and cultural events. |
Lokmat Pune | Marathi | Pune Bureau Editor | lokmatpune@lokmat.com | Target local developmental and community interest stories. |
Pune Mirror | English | Desk Coordinator | punemirroreditor@timesgroup.com | Focus on civic infrastructure, traffic, local business milestones, and youth events. |
Indian Express Pune | English | Pune News Desk | pune@expressindia.com | Focus on academic research, tech innovations, and administrative policies in Pune. |
Other Key Maharashtra Desks (Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur)
Publication & City | Language | Key Contact Desk | Email Contact | PR Submission Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Hitavada (Nagpur) | English | Nagpur City Desk | hitavadanagpur@gmail.com | Excellent for corporate, industrial, and local business news in Vidarbha. |
Lokmat (Nagpur) | Marathi | City assignment editor | lokmatnagpur@lokmat.com | Focus on regional public issues, rural commerce, and events. |
Deshdoot (Nashik) | Marathi | News assignment desk | deshdootnsk@gmail.com | Best for agricultural updates, industrial news, and cultural events in Nashik region. |
Pudhari (Kolhapur) | Marathi | Kolhapur Head Office Desk | pudharieditorial@pudhari.co.in | Dominant in Southern Maharashtra. Focus on local business, sports (wrestling), and community. |
2. TV News Channels
Electronic media channels in Maharashtra have assignment desks that evaluate live video invites and press conference packages. These operate on a 24/7 news cycle.
TV Channel | Language | Key Contact Desk | Email Contact | Broadcast Target Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ABP Majha | Marathi | Assignment Desk Editor | abpmajha@abpnews.in | Submit strong public-interest stories or visually rich events. |
TV9 Marathi | Marathi | Assignment Desk (24x7) | tv9assignment@tv9marathi.com | Great for immediate coverage. Send invites for camera deployment. |
Zee 24 Taas | Marathi | Broadcast Assignment Desk | zee24taas@zee.com | Focus on state-level policy impact, corporate launches, and national news. |
Saam TV | Marathi | Assignment Newsroom | saamtv@esakal.com | Interested in agricultural updates, rural developments, and cooperative achievements. |
News18 Lokmat | Marathi | Editorial Coordinator | news18lokmat@network18online.com | Send press briefing requests at least 24 hours in advance. |
3. Digital News Portals
Digital-first news portals are excellent for SEO backlinks and instant shareability. These platforms are quick to publish and cover niche local events.
Digital Portal | City Scope | Editorial Contact | Email Contact | Submission Best Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Punekar News | Pune | Editorial Desk | punekarnews@gmail.com | Submit local community updates, civic complaints, or Pune corporate announcements. |
Mumbai Live | Mumbai | Content Team | editor@mumbailive.com | Best for lifestyle, city transport developments, and entertainment PR in Mumbai. |
Free Press Journal | National/Mumbai | Digital Desk | fpjpr@fpj.co.in | Focus on business listings, corporate appointments, and startup milestones. |
4. Radio Stations
Radio is a strong local channel for event announcements, lifestyle campaigns, and community engagement in Pune and Mumbai.
Radio Mirchi (98.3 FM): Programming and PR desk: mirchipr@mirchi.com. Focus on local entertainment, cultural shows, and business leader features.
Red FM (93.5 FM): Assignment Coordinator: redfmpr@redfm.in. Focus on community civic issues and celebrity interviews.
5. Business Publications
To reach investors, partners, and high-net-worth individuals, business publications are essential. These require data-driven storylines.
Business Standard: Mumbai/Pune Editorial assignment: editorial@bsmail.in. Focus on mergers, financial reporting, and industry studies.
Mint: Mumbai Corporate Desk: mintdesk@livemint.com. Focus on retail investments, technology disruptions, and funding announcements.
6. Startup & Tech Publications
If you are a founder operating in the technology sectors, these startup portals are highly read by venture capitalists and tech workers.
YourStory: Editorial Submissions: editorial@yourstory.com. Focus on founder stories, innovative models, and product-market fit.
Inc42: Assignment Editors: editorial@inc42.com. Focus on SaaS, funding rounds (Seed/Series A), and digital commerce trends.
PuneStartups: Local Pune Tech Community: info@punestartups.org. Focus on tech meets, local deals, and incubator startups in Pune.
7. Press Release Submission Guide
Having the email addresses is only half the battle. To guarantee that editors read your story, follow this inverted pyramid submission guide:
Write a Compelling Subject Line: Include the words [Press Release] or [Media Invite] at the start, followed by an active, news-worthy headline.
Inverted Pyramid Model: Put the most important information (Who, What, Where, When, Why) in the first paragraph. Editors read only the first 3 lines before deciding to cover or skip a story.
Always Localize: Explain how your story impacts Pune, Mumbai, or Maharashtra. National journalists cover stories that have a strong local footprint.
Include a Boilerplate & Contact: Provide a brief description of your organization and list phone numbers of PR coordinates. Journalists will never write a story if they cannot call to verify facts.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these structural PR mistakes that will get your emails flagged as spam:
Mass BCCing: Sending an email to 100 journalists at once in the BCC box. Email filters flag these as spam instantly.
No Copyable Text: Sending a PDF image or scanned copy of a release. Journalists do not have the time to type out your details manually. Always provide a copyable text format (MS Word or email body text).
No High-Res Photos: Sending low-resolution WhatsApp screenshots. Always link a Google Drive folder containing high-resolution landscape photos.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How much does it cost to get featured in a newspaper in India?
A: Earned media (PR) is completely free of cost. Journalists select and publish stories based on their editorial value and reader interest. If you want a guaranteed promotional print, you must pay the advertising department for an "Advertorial" or a "Paid Feature".
Q: When is the best time to send a press release to Maharashtra desks?
A: The optimal time to email editors is Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Avoid sending releases on Mondays (busy editorial meetings) and Fridays (late-breaking weekend shifts).
Q: Should I follow up with a phone call after emailing?
A: Do not call editors unless you have high-priority, time-sensitive breaking news. Let the story stand on its own merit. If they are interested, they will reply or call your PR representative directly.
Conclusion
Building high-credibility media campaigns in Maharashtra takes time, network cultivation, and precise pitch styling. While this directory provides you with the direct entry points, partnering with a strategic media communications firm can amplify your outcomes. At Media Mirch, we have spent years cultivating direct relationships with journalists, TV news asigners, and print editors in Pune and Mumbai. Get in touch with Media Mirch today to design, pitch, and distribute your next media campaign.
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