A New Publicity Pitch

Taking advantage of local or timely events is a great way to get cheap publicity for your organisation.

Joan Stewart writes:

When it comes to celebrity status, the TV weather people are at the bottom
of the totem pole. While the news anchor is invited to host a glitzy
charity ball, the weather guy is asked to cut the ribbon at the opening of
the local ice rink.

So imagine how surprised forecasters are when they receive cookie bouquets
on February 5, "TV Weatherperson's Day," courtesy of Cookies by Design.
The bouquets are even personalized with each TV station's logo.

"Some stations announced it on every newscast from morning to midnight,"
said Michael Burns, president of Michael A. Burns & Associates, the Dallas
PR firm that came up with the idea several years ago and suggested it to
all franchise owners. The promotion was so successful that it has become a
tradition. One year, Cookies by Design was mentioned on more than 80 TV
stations nationwide. As a result, orders for cookie bouquets skyrocketed
during the first week of February when sales are typically flat.

What can you deliver to your local TV weather person on the morning of
February 5? For national exposure, you can even try schmoozing Al Roker,
or your favorite forecaster over at The Weather Channel.

> Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine
> featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe
> at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive free by email the handy list
> "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

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