Annoying PR

If you want to pull a publicity stunt with free pizza deliveries, make sure you get the right address. Or even the right city. Hint: I don’t work in San Francisco. Better yet, maybe just avoi...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/110569172116

Robin William's death an "opportunity"? : > As we mourn the loss of Robin Williams to depression, we must > recognize it as an opportunity to engage in a national convers...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/94719765791

Here’s an example of a pitch with extremely bad taste. (It should be clear that BlackBerry isn’t the company pitching this, but some third-party vendor). It was terrible enough to motivate me...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/94536548311

"Double Down" : A great description of one of the most used words in tech by The Verge.

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/32401483826

If you’re going to pitch your industry expert or executive for an interview, make sure the person is available before you do it. That would seem like common sense, but I guess not.

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/32396276898

A PR trainwreck in the making. The clock is ticking on an apology for unnecessary calamity and concern this will cause (This is fake, in case you didn’t figure it out): iPhone 5 PR Stunt Ends...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/32331310556

Making a glaring mistake in a pitch for an “industry expert”: Apple Expert & Member of Apple Reseller Board Available to Speak to the Benefits & Bugs of Apples Latest iPad Operating System...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/32330902730

Please don’t pitch a company or announcement that has an ultra-thin tangential connection to some hot topic (read: iPhone 5). It’s just a waste of everyone’s time and doesn’t exactly get ...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/31862313863

For executives, it’s corporate jargon for another choice. I guess it makes them feel like fighter pilots or something when they say it. It sounds silly to me.

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/31794911633

I see this a lot in the tech world, but it really applies to any field. If there’s a big event or press conference (i.e. Apple launches in tech, the DNC in politics, etc), don’t schedule your...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/31059526022

Another example of an over-used bit of tech jargon that’s under the same category as “frictionless .”

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/30935635848

If an executive is sitting down for an off-the-record discussion about a company or specific subject, don’t trot him across town to the next publication and have him spout the exact same corpor...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/30871918369

From a friend in PR (yes, I have those): If you don’t respond to an email pitch, the PR person will reply all multiple times so it looks like there’s a back-and-forth dialogue going on. The s...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/30589170764

Wall Street folk love this expression, used to describe an overreaction (read: massive sell-off) to negative news. They couldn’t figure out a less gruesome cliche to use?

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/30523729375

“Adult Entertainment Penetrates Social Media” - Subject line from a flak pitching an “adult industry expert” available for commentary. This falls under the so bad, it’s good category.

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That’s Silicon Valley’s recent term of choice for a quick shift in strategy. I guess it sounds cooler than “we messed up.”

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/26923928070

Research maybe PR lady? This happens at least once a week : thehardslog : > Me: Answers phone >  Excited voice PR lady: Hi Willem, I’d just like to flag somethign > with y...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/26923840835

Honeywell PR chief moonlights as jailor : I’ve seen and experienced PR folks getting in the way of reporters looking to interview key executives, but this is ridiculous. I’m glad the report...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/24534111899

Offering news to several publications on embargo, but giving one publication a much earlier “exclusive” isn’t the best way to ingratiate yourself with all of the other reporters. Even worse...

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/23486680586

Pitching a meeting to a reporter at a conference that starts that very day is not a good idea. Tip of the hat to PC Mag’s Sascha Segan.

https://annoyingpr.tumblr.com/post/22603028609