A personal touch can make all the difference in a media pitch - provided the pitchmeister and journalist are already acquainted. On the other hand, a first-time pitch riddled
with faux-chumminess can be so horrifyingly smarmy that not even a mother could love it. Consider the following overture recently received by a staff member in the banking group
at PR NEWS' parent company, Phillips Business Information, from Kevin Kunz at Panini North America:
Dear [editor]: I understand you have a little one on the way, and I was wondering if it would be possible to get some information about Panini's newest product, The Vision 120,
inserted into your report before the little one is due. We have done extensive research and believe that this device is suitable for many applications such as: ATM deposit,
microfilm replacement, cash vault and for all item image archive.
Our colleague's response: "Forget The Vision 120. How's your prostate?"