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Rules for Flaks Who Pitch What's Next Blog

Yesterday, I apologized to Mia Giusti, who sent me a "tip for whatsnextblog" about a viral for a new phone campaign. She sent me a "how dare you!" email when I called her a flak and said she was just trying to point out something interesting to me that had not already been covered everywhere.

Well, Ms. Giusti, if you're not a flak, you've certainly been pitching your little face off like one, because other bloggers have told me they got exactly the same pitch from, drum roll please .... Mia Giusti.

Some of My Best Friends Are Flaks
Let's get something straight: I used to BE a publicist; some of my best friends are flaks; some very smart people do PR very well. I want to have tips and briefings as much as the next journalist. We're all out here looking for scoops and we can't find every single one without sometimes getting tips from flaks. I'll read a well-written and SHORT press release that isn't sent as an attachment. I'll interview an exec once in a while.

But I won't stand for being bullshitted and snookered by flaks and neither will anyone else you pitch. Here's a hint: a lot of bloggers know eachother and communicate regularly. We talk about people who do dumbass things like pretend not to be flaks.

What's Next's Pitching Rules for flaks
Publicists, please paste these to your refrigerator or filing cabinet
1. don't pretend you're not a publicist
2. don't lie
3. if you forget rule 2, refer to rule 1
4. provide an email address from your company, not hotmail, yahoo, or gmail; and a phone number in case I have a question.
5. say who your client is and what you are pitching and why in 200 words or less (preferably much less)
6. if you make a mistake, admit it and move on
7. don't lie
8. pitch me before you give the story to everyone and her dog or don't bother me


BL Ochman | Jan 25 06 5:32 | TrackBack (2)

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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Rules for Flaks Who Pitch What's Next Blog:

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B.L. Ochman has some suggestions for pr flaks who want her to pay attention to their story. What's Next's Pitching Rules for Flaks Publicists, please paste these to your refrigerator or filing cabinet 1. don't pretend you're not a publicist... [Read More]

Tracked on January 27, 2006 10:52 AM

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About BL Ochman
BL Ochman
B.L. Ochman, Managing Director of Emerging Media for WPP-owned Proof Integrated Communications, has been helping Fortune 500 companies strategically incorporate new media into their marketing mix since 1996.

She contributes to Ad Age Digital Next, Mashable, Business Week and others. On Twitter, she is @whatsnext.

She is co-founder of the pet lovers' site and blog, Pawfun.com - where you can create and send free photo e-cards of your pets and create a variety of great products featuring your pet’s photo.

This is my personal blog, where I share my own thoughts and opinions, which do not represent the views of Proof or its clients.






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