Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > October > 19 > Entry
This post contains untrue reports
I split Tamara Bell’s PR & Entertainment class into seven groups for an exercise in pitching stories to a journalist. Each University of Texas six-member team chose a fictional marketing firm name and cooked up an item for my column. Then each member of the seven teams chose a method — texting, tweeting, Facebook, e-mail, phoning or face-to-face conversation — to pitch me directly in real time. This class was sizzling.
WARNING: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FALSE. PATENTLY.
Insiders: We represent Will Smith and we would like to offer you a pass to the premiere of the screening of his newest film, “Seven Pounds.” After the screening we will provide with a face to face interview with Smith to discuss the movie. (Not likely that such a small firm would handle Smith, but these pitchers made me giggle helplessly with their improvisations.)
Medley 6: We represent Heisman hopeful Colt McCoy who will be making a special guest appearance on the hit television show “Friday Night Lights.” We are offering you an exclusive interview with McCoy on set to discuss his transition from the field to the studio. (Despite the obvious NCAA obstacles to this story, the team pitched it enthusiastically, convincingly.)
Blackbook PR: Our client Randy Jackson, will be attending Alpha Phi’s Red Dress Gala and Fundraiser this Saturday. Mr. Jackson is an avid supporter of cardiac disease research and we are offering you an exclusive interview, a ticket to the gala, and unlimited photo opportunities. (Nice pitch. And one that would be easy to deliver.)
The Big Picture: The curtain rises on the 15th annual Austin Film Festival tonight with Oliver Stone’s “W.” We have an exclusive interview with Mr. Stone for you. (This one might be better for the film critic than the social columnist, but the team pitched it well.)
6-Pack PR: Our client is Andy Roddick and we would like to extend to you an invitation to the wedding of Roddick and his fiance, Brooklyn Decker. You will also receive an exclusive interview with the newlyweds. Let us know if you are interested. (Bingo! I’d kill for this story.)
PrAd: Our client, Greg Daniels, is being honored by the Austin Film Festival as the 2008 Outstanding Television Writer. We would like to invite you to the award luncheon this Saturday honoring his work on “The Simpsons” and “The Office” and give you an exclusive interview concerning the new Office spin-off with Amy Poehler. (Another one perhaps better for the television writer, but well placed.)
Note: In a record for the opening exercise in this workshop, variations on which I’ve offered dozens of times, Tanya Schurr guessed in 4 seconds my coffee date two hours earlier — Brendan Hansen. (She had read my blog in advance.)
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By Caitlin shook
October 20, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
That was a great exercise, sir! We all appreciated your time and expertise.
-Take it easy
Caitlin Shook
PR Student