Maybe PR folks didn't feel like those in the media ingratiated themselves to media relations execs, but it was apparently slim pickings in the greetings and gifts phylum this year, with several journalists (such as Cyberscope Editor Laura Fording at newsweek.com) telling us they didn't get much in the way of trinket or rhyme this season.
Nonetheless, we offer this brief rundown of some of the freebies reporters and editors got that struck their fancy or got them to sit up and take notice. Note: because most media outlets restrict accepting expensive gifts, it appears that you won't offend if you send a memorable card or a funky product plug.
AutoWeek
Larry Edsall, Managing Editor
I really liked two things - the Mercedes Museum calendar depicting historic Mercedes models on the road, and the annual Pirelli calendar - this is 100 years of women in various stages of dress. For example, a 1990s model replicates the famous Jean Harlow photo from the 1930s.
The Buffalo News
Chet Bridger, Banking Reporter
This year I've received the traditional coffee mugs. I think I have one of the world's largest coffee mug collection. The only interesting gift I've received was a little clock from a savings bank here in Buffalo. It is a small, glass triangle with a time piece on top. I gave it to my son because he seemed to think it was unusual. Other than that, I've gotten the usual 500 corporate Christmas cards.
Dateline NBC (Washington, D.C. bureau)
Sandra Surles, Manager/Producer of Consumer Development
I used to get tons of stuff when I worked at WRC (NBC affiliate), but the only thing I got this year that sticks out was from Extreme, a company trying to promote nature conservancy. I received these puzzles that are made out of the material mouse pads are made out of. The Titanic horizontal puzzle is five feet long, but the first one I got is an iguana that looks like you could perch him on something. I had an iguana when I was kid, which was sort of cool. But if it had not come put together, it wouldn't have been put together. And I'm not sure it's furthering their cause, since I didn't read what came with it.
DV Business (covering DTV)
Tom Butts, Editor
I'm still waiting for my first sample HDTV set, but in lieu of that, I did receive several humorous cards. In particular, one card from Caster Communications showed two identical pictures of Santa Claus. The caption under one read "Jolly Old Gent," while under the other was the caption "Candidate for Heart Disease." The punch line inside the card said, "It's all in how you position it." No truer marketing words were ever said.
Modern Maturity's Forever Fit
Edward Jackowski, Fitness Editor & Advisor
I liked everything I got - wine, Godiva chocolate - but nothing was unusual, which was in itself unusual. We sent out red jump ropes with green handles for the first time, which was different and worked.
The Washington Times
Bernard Dagenais, Business Times Editor
We got these little toy soldiers - which came with a fake diamond - to get us to cover the opening of a new diamond store in the D.C. area. Some high-priced diamond was going to be there and the soldiers were supposed to represent the guards. But we didn't cover it. That's about it - about all I can remember that was different.
World Radio
Mike Dawahare
Director of Network News & Operations
Our FCC council in Washington is Pepper & Corazzini and our two attorneys, Patty Chuh and John Garziglia, each took the time to send me separate notes that were personally written and signed. With all my other vendors, it was all pro forma.
But this gave the sense of a human being involved rather than a marketing department. Probably what I got that was most useful came from Meridian Communications Inc., which sent us a box of elegant wrapping papers and bows that came three weeks before Christmas with directions to "open this early."
This was the second year they sent us this gift and my wife loves it.
Our Holiday Picks
The card from Sefton Communications which read: "We're making a list. We're checking it twice. Naughty: Clients who've fired us. Nice: clients who haven't."
The cheeky greeting from Cyber Dialogue that was one of the most creative we've seen in years: With a stick-figure snowman on the front, the card was emblazoned with these words: "9 out of 10 Cyber Dialogue employees would like to wish you a happy holiday."
The witty musical card from CM&Z which unfolds - a la the tune of "Jinglebell Rock" - to, well, a picture of a rock.
Executive Communications Group's "The Line Cellar," a wonderful little book with prose, including A Holiday Story and New Year's toasts, to recipes for drinks, including those for the designated driver.
Fox Sports Media Relations' staff "Twelve Days of Fox," which includes such witty verbiage as "12 aliens abductin' and 10 Homers d'ohin'."