For me without a doubt, contestant #3. I am not sure I can explain why but it made me feel part of a greater universe.

Certainly #3. IT may be shamelessly selfpromoting philanthropy, but if someones life is made better for it, it's fine by me. Also, a postcard is far less wasteful than a book the vast majority of recipients won't read or a case/cd/bottles(nice as the content may be) that you will eventually discard. #3 wins for me.

#3. It has a very human quality about it.

Well, all of them, to some extent, because you wrote about them. That's the first desired outcome. The second -- and more important -- will be measured by how often you call UPS, how much scotch you buy, and how much money you give for eye surgeries. That is, if the companies are measuring increased "sales" from PR, which I hope they are.

#3 makes you feel the best emotionally. #2 has a lot of fun appeal. Give #1 credit for trying to tie the services into something topical, but it feels like a stretch.

Almost #3.

Don't you just love that "Save the Children" approach to helping out the whole world - when there are homeless in our backyards and under our bridges?

It's somehow nobler to give to the international poor, they have much better marketing.

Dan Seidman, SalesAutopsy.com

#2...because everyone loves free stuff and regal packaging.

Winner: #3

'In-sourcing' might be a li'l unethical or cheesy to me.

Giving away alcohol is ridiculous and such a waste or resources for priting their even sillier photos that make no sense.

The last is not only connecting emotionally but it's not arrogant and is a greater call to action.

I thought that is what PR and advertising is about?!!

Not to be quibblesome, but none of them are really PR pitches - they are more marketing pitches. In other words, these same boxes are being delivered to many others all over the country, not just magazines, not just media - anyone they might impress. (I know, I've mailed - and received - quite a few in my lifetime.)

I wasn't bowled over by any of them. And I agree with Dan that #3 is probably the most original, but I personally am also tiring of the money and time that is funneled all over the world when there's so much work to do in our own backyard. (Just as it strikes me odd sometimes - depending on the day, I suppose - how many people will give money to support an animal shelter that won't give money to help actual live humans in their own community.)

A true PR pitch from #3 would have been calling, e-mailing or writing and saying to you: "I have confirmed with nine of the crew members who went on our recent Nepal expedition that they will talk to a reporter from Fast Company. I think our expedition would be of interest to your readers because all nine of them are CEOs or entrepreneurs - and they had to stop being CEOs or physicians or community leaders and just be people willing to help for a while. With their help the woman pictured here (photo can be used in your story), who never would have had cataract surgery otherwise, can now see. Here is the phone number and e-mail of the nine members. They are expecting your call. Please call me if you have further questions or if I can help in any way. I look forward to working with you to tell this important story."

PR pitches should be judged on their ability to sell a story to the targeted publication. In that sense, I don't think any of these pitches succeed in connecting the dots to the kind of story Fast Company is likely to feature. UPS might have succeeded if they had included a pitch note detailing some of their (or their customers') most innovative practices -- including the behind-the-scenes drama of those involved in making the critical decisions.

Certainly #3. Taking care of the world's poor and indigent with catastrophic illness, disease and famine and offering a procedure that will absolutely change their world.... This is certainly priceless. Hmmm.