Commentary

PR Wild Pitches - Spring 2014 Edition

Hi Bob,

Chupa Chups just posted a pretty fun video for halloween. The video captures the most terrifying thing in the world, crying children.

I thought Bob Garfield’s readers would enjoy and maybe even relate. I can provide a press release and help with any other information you may need about the clip, just let me know!

Even if you don't think it's a great fit for outlet, I would love to hear what you think of the video. Either way have a great week!

shawn bell sbell@kindlinginc.com

 

Hi, Shawn. While no doubt Bob Garfield’s readers would love to be terrified by crying children, Bob Garfield is gonna pass, because Bob Garfield doesn’t think it’s a great fit for outlet. Have a great week!  Also, see below:

When people talk about the dystopian aspects of the Internet, they get it all wrong. Identity theft? Big deal. Cyberbullying? Pfft. Hate speech, snooping, piracy, porn? Bring it on.  What we need to eradicate is the emailed press release.

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Whatever restraint, thought, rationality, consideration and professionalism that occasionally governed the practice of public relations in the analog world is obliterated in the modern batch email. 

Inbox kudzu is what it is, not only wasting time and money but promoting ill will. Now I don’t happen to write from PR pitches. Ever. But nobody can blame a publicist for trying to offer opportunities for mutual benefit. But given that I write an opinion column about media and marketing, is it too much to ask -- and in a digital world too big a filtering process to achieve -- to limit pitches to areas of media and marketing?

Evidently so. 

 

Taxpayers Urged to Take Advantage of IRS Free File for Online Tax Assistance & E-Filing Available at www.IRS.gov/freefile

Hi, Bob!

I’m writing to let you know that comprehensive tax preparation and e-filing is available to 70 percent of taxpayers, thanks to Free File – a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a coalition of industry-leading tax software companies called the Free File Alliance. 

Contact: Katie Morgan

 

Leading Physical Therapy Doctor, Dr. Attilio Pensavalle available to discuss winter sport safety and treatment


It is that wonderful time of year.  The winter is upon us, the snow has fallen and it is now time to enjoy the exhilarating season of snow-related sports.  Among those activities are skiing and snowboarding.  While you are enjoying your outdoor activities, it is also important to take protective steps to avoid injury.

 

 Alyssa Nightingale 
 

WDMA Releases 2014 National Policy Agenda for the Window, Door, and Skylight Industry  

 

[Washington, DC] - The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) released today a comprehensive legislative and regulatory policy agenda for 2014.  As the U.S. economy continues its gradual recovery, WDMA has outlined a number of policies that are top priorities for the window, door, and skylight industry that will aid in the recovery of the housing and construction industry, and support continued job creation in the vital U.S. manufacturing sector.

 

Contact: Stephen Kendrick

 

Inquiry for a Guest Post

 

Good Afternoon,

 

I came across your blog site today with an interest in a company spotlight or guest post for our services on your website. My name is Teja Foster I’m the publicists at guardNOW a private event security guard company hoping you would be interested, if you would like more information about us please feel free to ask or send over any requirements we need to be featured on your site.

Thank You,  

Teja Foster 

Dr. Attilio Pensavalle, Founder of OrthoBalance Physical Therapy is available to discuss topicsrelated to Snow Shoveling Safety and/or to Demonstrate Exercises to Prepare for Safe Shoveling

 

The exciting news is that while you are snow shoveling, you are also engaging in moderate physical activity which means you may get to skip your daily exercise regime.  However, you must be careful.  According to the 2009 US Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 16,500 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to snow shoveling and ice removal.

 

Alyssa Nightingale 

 

Media Advisory: The Open-Office Dilemma

Bob,

Have you ever thought about writing a story on the drawbacks of open-office design? Blake Zalcberg, chief operating officer of OFM, a leading office and school furniture manufacturer, distributor, and wholesaler, recently wrote an interesting piece on why the open-office layout doesn't work for every business. If you'd like to talk more with him about this topic, he's available anytime.

All the best,

Alison Beckwith

Super lice plague in Michigan: How to protect your family

Rapunzel’s Lice boutique in Southeast Michigan treated 398 people for head lice last month, and 388 people in July. With schools back in session, Rapunzel's Owner Sarah Casello-Rees is concerned about these infestations taking on a whole new life in the classroom.

 Sarah Casello-Rees                          

Dear Sarah, Alison, Alyssa, Teja, Stephen and Katie: Pass.

 

 

7 comments about "PR Wild Pitches - Spring 2014 Edition".
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  1. Frieda Montoya from -, April 10, 2014 at 2:13 p.m.

    Yes, every PR person should know the importance of careful targeting. Yes, reminders of how the recipient of a non-relevant pitch may find it annoying can be helpful. But is it really so difficult to hit "delete" that putting people's jobs at risk is necessary?

    You want to out the companies, that's fine. But you don't need to include individual's names to write an article like this.

  2. Stephen Block from Amazon Partners, April 10, 2014 at 2:15 p.m.

    Bob, How were you able to hold back and be so polite? Saving yourself for Comcast, I suppose.

  3. Roy Moskowitz from Reciprocal Results, April 10, 2014 at 2:17 p.m.

    While the rest of the emails should never have been sent to you, I didn't think the Chupa Chups video pitch was outlandish. The PR firm was asking you to review a video from a creative perspective, something that is not completely inappropriate given your background and the media outlet hosting this blog. Bell was seeking publicity for his agency, not the lollipop company.

    I have a personal history with Chupa Chups. I was involved with a deal to trade 25 million lollipops for media space and time.

  4. Ed Shane from SHANE MEDIA SERVICES, April 10, 2014 at 4:08 p.m.

    At least your correspondents address "Dear Bob," instead of "Dear ,," or First Name." My favorite is "Dear Shane." BTW, Bob, Have you ever thought about writing a story on the drawbacks of open-office design?

  5. Faye Oney from SDS, April 10, 2014 at 4:10 p.m.

    Bob, thank you for the afternoon lols. And to Frieda and Roy, thank you for the additional lols.

  6. Martin Stein from Social Radius, April 10, 2014 at 5:07 p.m.

    Nightingale's firm does pay-for-performance for some clients so you might have actually made them very happy by running those pitches.

  7. Paula Lynn from Who Else Unlimited, April 10, 2014 at 6:46 p.m.

    Reminds me of an art director named Brian of the DR piece of art he posted on his wall, "Dear Brain". Worked for him.

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About the Author

Bob Garfield, former editor at large for MediaPost, is a long-time public radio personality who currently hosts Booksmart Studios' "Bully Pulpit" podcast. A 30-plus-year commentator on media and marketing, he is co-host of public radio's Peabody Award-winning “On the Media” program; senior fellow at Wharton Future of Advertising Program, SEI Center for Advanced Studies in Management; founder of the Media Future Summit and author of five books.