Pitch, Please: Journalists Sound Off on Media Relations

Just as we were discussing the importance of media relations in the PR industry, it's time for our weekly dive into the muddy waters of social media to find reponses to the best/worst/most ridiculous pitches with the help of our friends at Muck Rack. Yeah, we did it on Monday after taking last Friday off. But we can't stop! First, from Josh Barro of The New York Times: can anything involving Mr. Trump NOT be called garbage? Today's garbagest pitch: pic.twitter.com/GhgTWt5GNR — Josh Barro (@jbarro) June 17, 2015 And may we please retire the term "disrupter?" Is that even a real word?! (No, it's not. But neither is "garbagest.") Next up is Olivia Solon of The Daily Mirror, who may or may not identify as a "bitch": I've just received my first ever PR pitch to start with "Hi bitches". Amazing — Olivia Solon (@oliviasolon) June 18, 2015 See, now we have to know what kind of startup those bitches were pitching. Next, Ben White of Politico is very angry. And he has serious questions! Has anyone ever written a story based on a canned PR pitch email? And if so, why? — Ben White (@morningmoneyben) June 17, 2015 The exchange below that tweet is a must-read; it involves NYT's Mike Isaac and a certain impressionable marshmallow man. Next, a classic in the "pitchsplaining" genre from Cameron Atfield of the Brisbane Times, who covers politics (but not Scandinavian design!): PR pitch of the day. Bit presumptuous to think I'd know that. pic.twitter.com/sAqS0zPtZm — Cameron Atfield (@CameronAtfield) June 16, 2015 Next, we learned a new phrase via Joe Keohane of Esquire: "the summer experiential economy." How do we know whether we're experiencing such an economy or not?! Silky smooth PR pitch: "from outdoor festivals to athletic races...people are beginning to enjoy the summer experiential economy. " — Joe Keohane (@JoeKeohane) June 15, 2015 In other news, Keohane may or may not wear ties: Fact: 99% of all publicists' emails concerning Fathers Day include a joke about ties, and will unto eternity. pic.twitter.com/vbu5g5vv4I — Joe Keohane (@JoeKeohane) June 18, 2015 We know Philip Bump of The Washington Post is being facetious here. But we'll go with his spam screenshot anyway: The rare well-targeted PR pitch. pic.twitter.com/7zW47QBQe1 — Philip Bump (@pbump) June 12, 2015 Next, in the "Ewww, Gross" genre: how does potty training relate to literary criticism? PR pitch of the day: "Summer is potty training season..." — Kate Tuttle (@katekilla) June 16, 2015 ...and how do sex and sports relate to "everyone's favorite grandma?" #PR pitch e-mail of the day..."Sex and sports? Everyone's favorite grandma is back..." WHAT?! — Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) June 17, 2015 We have one comment on this pitch sent to Michael Carl of Vanity Fair: uhhhhhhhh... Worst PR PITCH EVER! pic.twitter.com/FOlnL0JBed — Michael Carl (@carlscrush) June 19, 2015 That was upsetting--but we can always fall back on the classics via CNET's Tim Stevens and Fast Company's Harry McCracken: Just got a dadbod-related PR pitch, so, I think I'm probably done with email. — Tim Stevens (@Tim_Stevens) June 16, 2015 I would pay a significant monthly fee for an email service capable of automatically detecting and nuking PR pitches involving vaping. — Harry McCracken (@harrymccracken) June 18, 2015 What, no "#ChristianDadsWhoVape?" Here's another reminder that newsjacking isn't always the best approach, especially if the news in question involves a prison break: PR pitch of the day, pivoting off #Dannemora : "Prison is no different than an office corporate setting." — Kate Hinds (@katehinds) June 16, 2015 Next, Ben Leubsdorf, who covers economics for the Wall Street Journal, demonstrates the challenge in connecting point A to point J (for Jurassic): Today's PR pitch non sequitur pic.twitter.com/HAwpD5Ubpl — Ben Leubsdorf (@BenLeubsdorf) June 11, 2015 Finally, from blogger and marketing manager Corrin Foster, a classic mistake revealed: Was just cc’d with 200 other bloggers on a PR pitch. Hilarity is definitely not ensuing. — Corrin Foster (@corrinrenee) June 17, 2015 Have a great weekend...and remember to add the "b" before the "cc."

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Pitch, Please: Journalists Sound Off on Media Relations

The week's best responses...to PR pitches.

Patrick Coffee

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