Press Release eh?
// July 26th, 2006 // Articles/Features
Not wanting to open the debate about whether blogging is journalism or whether this site is a blog? I returned from Truck to see I’ve recieved my first “press release” into my mailbox. I think the fact that PR companies are now actively recognising the power that certain popular blogs have (how they found me I don’t know) is fantastic.
Even though I’ve only recieved one I’m already tired of the gumphy marketing bullshit language that they use. Surely it would be better to write the press release yourself and then just use PR agencies for contacts. This one actually put me off the company it was supposed to be promoting (dshirt.co.uk) by the time I’d reached the end, listen to some of these highlights. This might seem harsh and thats not the intention, its just to show that badly thought out PR might be worse than no PR. Different audiences might require different messages:
“DESIGN EXPERTS CALLED TO DRAW ON THEIR TALENTS TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE T-SHIRT”
So good they had to shout, what exactly is the ultimate t-shirt?
“We have created a concept whereby the UK’s best design talent, whether
amateur or professional, can flex their creative muscles to devise a unique
t-shirt, while earning themselves kudos and cash.”
They have created any concept? No its a t-shirt design contest without public voting, I can think of many, many more Split the Atom and Teetonic in the UK alone. My old favourite Spunky had this model way back in the late 90’s.
“there’s no rules, so long as they are cool and funky”
So there are rules then? Whacky and funky in one press release?
Some of the designs look promising and the £500 prize will certainly attract submission from abroad because of the exchange rate. You can check out the site here
I took the liberty of re-writing the press release for Dshirts to make it more blogosphere friendly:
“Cult e-tailer dshirt.co.uk is throwing down the gauntlet to the cream of the
creative industries to devise stylish and funky t-shirt designs.”
Upcoming new e-tailer dshirt.co.uk is throwing down the gauntlet to designers and amateurs the world over to submit their most ground breaking designs.
“The website’s founders are prepared to put their money where their mouth is,awarding £500 each for the best designs that will ultimately be created and
sold on the site.”
The website’s founders want to recognise the talent of artists and reward them with respect, exposure and a cool £500 per winning design. Each winning design will be created and sold on the site.
“Dshirt.co.uk communications manager, Jane Hannah, says: “UK consumers are
going crazy for customised t-shirts that are that little bit whacky, unique and
make a bold statement.”
Dshirt.co.uk Blogosphere Press Manager, Adam Fletcher, says: “We want to harness the webs existing passion for both design and t-shirts, building a community around the best designers and their creations.”
“We have created a concept whereby the UK’s best design talent, whether amateur or professional, can flex their creative muscles to devise a unique t-shirt, while earning themselves kudos and cash.”
This community will encourage everyone from professional designers to willing amateurs, to flex their creative muscles to devise some outrageously good t-shirts, while earning kudos and cash.
“We are looking for 30 designs as soon as possible, there’s no rules, so long as they are cool and funky. We are offering £500 for the best designs on a rolling basis.â€
The contest is open now, we are looking for at least 30 designs, anything goes, just show your originality and creativity. We are offering £500 for the best designs on a rolling basis.
