Russell Sherman of “Press Profiles” interviewed Wall Street Journal mergers and acquisitions reporter Lauren Thomas about how she uncovers deals, her reporter’s intuition, and staying ahead of the “footsteps” of competitors as she attempts to break news.
“It’s a lot of jumping around, for sure,” said Thomas. “…It’s really all about who you know.”
Thomas said she likes to check in regularly with sources, which she calls a “never-ending hamster wheel.” She adds, “The longer you do this job and cover M&A, there’s a rhythm to it.”
She said that her brain doesn’t stop going, and she has many source names that are tucked away that often pop up at weird times, such as when she is brushing her teeth at night or making coffee in the morning.
Thomas said she always strives to have exclusives and scoops with her coverage. And she argues that it’s key to develop trust with sources so that they’re comfortable sharing information. “It has to go both ways,” she said. “It can’t be one-sided.” She prefers to meet in person because it makes sources more comfortable.
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