A thread about persistence for all you young #journalists out there /1

Years ago, F1 cancelled the Grand Prix in #Montreal which was a huge blow to the city /2

I tracked down the number for F1 headquarters and gave it a ring. When the receptionist answered, I asked for Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 head hancho. She patched me through. It couldn't be that easy to get him, could it? /3

It wasn't. I got who I assumed was Ecclestone's personal secretary. She took my name and number and said she would pass it along to him. I wasn't expecting any miracle but I also wasn't going to give up. /4

I called again the next day. Got the same receptionist and the same secretary who again asked for my name and number and assured me she would let Mr. Ecclestone know that I had called. /5

I called again the next day and the day after that. And I kept calling. Almost every day for a month. It became part of my daily routine. Wrap a few stories, call up Bernie, go home for the day. Needless to say, the receptionist and secretary were tired of hearing from me /6

Ecclestone's secretary knew it was me every time. She was polite but firm, insisting she had passed the message along but that he was a busy man and he would call me when he had the time /7

The phone rang in the CJAD newsroom about 10 minutes to noon. The anchor turned to me and said, "Call for you." I picked up the line and said my name.

"Hello, Mr. Parent, it's Bernie Ecclestone, returning your call." /8

I was stunned. He actually called back. I put him hold, told the anchor it was Ecclestone, ran to a recording booth and conducted the interview. He only gave me five minutes but it was enough. I got what I needed. /9

I wrapped the interview at 11:57am. We broke it three minutes later. I went live, with a clip at the ready. It was a huge get /10

I felt bad that I never asked the receptionist or the secretary their names. I'm sure they were so sick of hearing from me that they told Ecclestone to juat call me back in order to shut me up. But I owe them a debt of gratitude /11

Persistence as a journalist pays off. Keep making those calls, sending those emails, chasing the big interview. It's worth it. /FIN