To get covered in TMZ, use the routes TMZ publishes on its own site: the hot tip page, the contact form, and the media inquiries page. TMZ's tip page asks for a name, phone number, email address, hometown, and a short caption that says what is happening and where and when it was captured. TMZ says all hot tips go immediately to its staff, so a clear, verifiable submission reaches a person quickly.
This guide is part of EPR's media placements guide. It describes TMZ only from TMZ's own published pages, explains how publicists and brand teams can work with an entertainment news outlet, and gives a checklist for preparing an inquiry or a correction request.
What does TMZ publish and cover?
TMZ publishes entertainment news, sports coverage, photos, videos, podcasts, tours, and deals, according to the navigation on its site. The main sections are News, Sports, Photos, Videos, Pods, Tours, and Deals.
TMZ also lists three shows on its video page: TMZ, TMZ Live, and TMZ Sports. It offers a mobile app through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Each format has a different pace, so match your material to the format that fits it.
The site footer names the publisher as EHM Productions, Inc. and displays the tagline Thirty Mile Zone. Use the publisher name when you need to cite the outlet formally, for example in a rights or correction request.
TMZ lists five contact routes on its pages: Contact Us, Send a Hot Tip, Careers, Advertising Inquiries, and Media Inquiries. The table shows what each route is for according to TMZ's own page text.
| Route | What TMZ says it is for | Best use |
|---|
| Send a Hot Tip | News tips and photos or video of a breaking story, forwarded immediately to TMZ staff | Time-sensitive news and visual material |
| Contact Us | A comment, question, or correction, with name, phone number, and email so TMZ can respond | Corrections and general questions |
| Media Inquiries | A separate page for media inquiries | Press and partnership questions about TMZ itself |
| Advertising Inquiries | A separate page for advertising | Paid placements, which are a different category from editorial coverage |
| Careers | TMZ's careers page on LinkedIn | Hiring questions |
Keep the categories separate in your own records. A hot tip is a route to editorial attention, while an advertising inquiry buys exposure. EPR's media placements guide explains why earned, owned, and paid placements are measured separately.
How does TMZ ask people to send a tip?
TMZ asks tipsters to send a hot tip by form, phone call, email, or text. The tip page lists the number (888) 847-9869 for calls and texts, and the form collects the tipster's details.
The page asks for six pieces of information when material includes photos, video, or audio: your name, phone number, email address, hometown, and a short caption describing what is happening in the material and where and when it was taken. That list is a useful template for any submission to a fast-moving outlet.
TMZ's tip page is written for members of the public who witness events. A publicist, in contrast, usually has a client's news, a statement, or a correction. The same principle applies: give the staff what they need to verify the item quickly.
How should a publicist approach TMZ?
A publicist should approach TMZ with a specific, verifiable item and the details a producer needs to check it. TMZ's pages do not publish a separate pitching guide for publicists, so this section is EPR's practical guidance, built from the format TMZ's tip page requests.
- Lead with the news. State what happened, who is involved, and when, in the first two sentences.
- Include where and when. TMZ's tip page asks for the location and time of photos and video, so add both to any visual material.
- Offer visual proof where you have it. Photos, video, and documents give a producer something to verify. Send only material you have the rights to share.
- Give a direct contact. TMZ asks for a name, phone number, and email, so put a reachable person on every message.
- Keep the message short. Muck Rack's 2026 survey found that 69% of journalists prefer pitches under 200 words, a norm that suits a fast news desk.
Entertainment news moves quickly, so plan for response time. Decide in advance who can approve a statement, who can confirm facts, and who is available outside business hours.
What does a worked example inquiry look like?
The template below shows a statement offered to a news desk. Replace each bracket with a verified fact, and remove any claim you cannot document.
| Element | Example |
|---|
| Subject line | [Client] confirms [specific event] on [date]: statement and photo available |
| Opening | [Client] confirmed on [date] that [specific fact]. The event took place at [location] at [time and time zone]. |
| Proof | A photo taken by [credited photographer] on [date] is attached, with a caption stating what it shows and where. |
| Statement | [Client name or representative] said: "[approved statement]." |
| Contact | [Name, title], [phone], [email]. Available [days and hours]. |
The template follows the structure TMZ's tip page requests: who, what, where, when, and a way to reach you. It also puts an approved statement in the message, which saves the producer a call.
How do you request a correction or respond to coverage?
Use TMZ's Contact Us form to send a correction request or a comment about coverage. TMZ's contact page says to include your name, phone number, and email address so the team can get back to you. State the specific line you are asking about and give the documented fact that differs.
Keep the tone factual and brief. Attach a document, such as a filing, a statement, or a record, that supports the change. A short, evidence-backed note gives an editor a reason to review the item quickly.
Respond to coverage from a position of preparation. EPR's Forbes guide and TechCrunch guide show how other outlets publish their own standards, and each outlet's own pages should shape your approach.
How do timing, exclusives, and follow-ups work?
TMZ's published pages do not state embargo, exclusivity, or follow-up norms, so agree any terms in writing with the individual contact before sending the news. Name the release date, time, and time zone, and honor them exactly. A producer can only accept terms they agreed to in advance.
If you do not hear back, send one follow-up with new information, such as an updated statement or a newly available photo. Journalists in Muck Rack's 2026 survey prefer a single timely follow-up. A second message with no new content gives the producer nothing new to act on.
How do you make coverage work after it runs?
Coverage works hardest when other sources point to it. Add it to your press page, share it through the client's official channels, and keep a dated record of the placement, the outlet, and the link. EPR's media pitching citation share study shows how to check which pitching advice and outlets AI engines surface.
Measure the outcome you wanted, such as referral traffic, inquiries, or accurate facts appearing in later stories. Review the record monthly to see which kinds of material the outlet picked up.
