Welcome to Round 3 of PR Smackdown, wherein we present three pitches that have landed recently here at FC World Headquarters--and ask you, our devoted readers, to pick the best one (and explain why). You can catch up on the first two Smackdowns here and here.
Without further pomp, let's meet this week's contestants.
Pitch #!: Razorpoint Security Technologies. This comes via email, from a sender unfortunately addressed, "Intern [5wpr]." But we're fond of interns here at FC, so we read on: "The Story: For years, crackers, (aka cyber criminals) have been snooping around corporate and university networks and individual's PCs easily obtaining confidential information without the users' knowledge..." "The hook: Security is an ongoing process, NOT just a product." And after a while, we learn that Gary C. Morse, president and founder of Razorpoint, is available to comment on this phenomenon.
Pitch #2: Skyy Vodka. Definitely not from an intern. A white box, elegantly packed with a CD, slick brochure, and--yes!--a miniature of Skyy's new Skyy 90. Much rejoicing, as always, among FC staffers. The brochure proclaims "the first modern luxury vodka with taste by design," using "the world's most advanced technology to deliver a higher standard of vodka."
Pitch #3: Redwood Creek Wines of California, which announces its first-ever "Campfire Classic." Through June 15, amateur cooking aficionados can enter "their unique campfire recipe paired with one of the rich and flavorful wines of Redwood Creek. Entries will be judged on the originality and creativity of the recipe, taste, advancement of the tradition of campfire cookery, presentation and the appropriateness of the wine pairing." The company helpfully offers sample recipes for corn chowder, cedar plank salmon with wild blueberry salsa, and grilled fruit kabobs.
And the winner is?
Related Stories: | Topics:Management, advertising + PR, Razorpoint Security Technologies Inc., Gary Morse, California, Skyy Vodka |
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Recent Comments | 7 Total
June 2, 2005 at 12:17pm by Jim Wesnor
Why can't I see the fish? Instead, a copyright disclaimer is shown.
June 2, 2005 at 12:29pm by Jonathan Gluckman
Definitely #1. Cyber Snooping and 5W Public Relations.
June 2, 2005 at 12:44pm by Jennifer Warwick
I vote for the wine. Great summertime tie-in, useful for a travel or food section feature or column. I can see mentions in Sunset, Food & Wine, etc.
#1 is a cool idea, but the typos and careless return address make me wonder a little whether the company is quite ready for primetime.
As for Skyy - enjoy the sample! Interesting tie-in to the FC "design" theme, but - this could just be me - I prefer not to think of my cocktail ingredients as having been mathematically and chemically designed, molecule by molecule, by grim white-coated scientists in goggles. Technology + vodka = creepy.
June 2, 2005 at 2:04pm by Gary Robinson
I am both buying a bottle of Skye 90 and entering the Redwood Creek Wines campfire contest.
Both winners from my perspective.
G.
June 2, 2005 at 6:43pm by Nicola Cairncross
Well, from a PR point of view the vodka wins hands down! Stylish, individual, I can just hear the "oooohs" of appreciation from the Fast Company staff as they unwrapped the lovely box, the little miniature and the lovely brochure. The vodka people went to a lot of trouble to make their product special and to make the FC people feel special. It's not just a vodka, it's a whole lifestyle experience - just like reading Fast Company (grin). Campfire cookouts with red wine and recipes? Purleese.
June 3, 2005 at 11:20am by Shawn Lea
And the winner is...Redwood Creek Wines. (And after I kept ranting that the PR Smackdown is really a Marketing Smackdown, the blog has blacklisted me. Everytime I put in my URL it says there is an error! But I'm proud of you this time... there are two real PR pitches above.) ;)
June 3, 2005 at 3:43pm by Aimee
I'm liking the Skyy Vodka idea... fun, with funky delivery and clever design and a little glimpse into what is next! And don't be scared of the technology behind it, Jenn, it still goes down smooth