Media companies around the world are seeking ways to increase their journalists' reach and productivity, according to officials of Evoca, a voice-to-web recording service.

As a former newspaperman, this reporter can recommend paying more attention to reporters' expense claim sheets, specifically "laundry" expenses.

Evoca officials say their tool is one way for media companies to extract more productivity out of their ink-stained wretches. "Both professional and citizen journalists use Evoca to record and podcast interviews with newsmakers in the political, financial, environmental, entertainment, travel, domestic and international security, and other dynamic sectors," they say.

They also can instantly tweet the entire interview recording, or use audio clips for radio programs, voice-overs in videos, and audio highlights embedded in online articles.

One wonders what technology these brave citizen journalists were using to try to interview North Carolina Democrat Bob Etheridge. Whatever it was it appears boxing gloves would have been the safer bet.

Evoca subscriber Orlando Montoya, Savannah-based news producer for Georgia Public Broadcasting, calls himself the "Voice of the Coast." His reports can be heard across the state on GPB's 16-station state-wide radio network and locally on WSVH 91.1 FM in Savannah and WWIO 88.9 FM in Brunswick.

Montoya's beat includes such diverse issues as tropical storms, troop deployments, the environment, political scandals, education, art, music, history and culture. Nothing like a good old-fashioned Renaissance generalist in journalism.

"With Evoca I can do interviews for the radio wherever I am with a cell phone," he says. "Before, I had to make an appointment, drive to the radio station, and hope the production room was free. Now I can give my subjects my telephone number. If I am driving, I can pull over."

The interview "comes directly downloaded to my account and sends me an e-mail that it's there," Montoya explains, adding "and it sounds good. In these times we are doing more with less and we have to be more efficient as an organization."