By Steve Rhodes
Another round of correspondence from the crossroads of PR and journalism.
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From: Joanna Goldstein, Porter Novelli
To: Steve Rhodes
Date: July 27
Subject: Story/interview
Hi Steve. Please let me know if you are interested in the following interview or story_idea that’s timely for 8/7 or 8/8 on How to land your dream job @ Lollapalooza.
Looking to land your dream job, look no further when following tips from Adam Ward and Jason Fisher, two regular guys who scored a sweet deal with Gillette, who are putting them to work as Brand Ambassadors after winning the Ultimate Summer Job Contest where they shot and edited a 60-second video expressing their passion for Gillette.
The job sends the guys on a summer road trip in local_markets across the country where the next stop will be at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL.
We can provide you with:
– Adam and Jason interviews via telephone or at the Gillette Shave Station (offsite)
– Lollapalooza survival tips including Festival Dos and Donts, where to eat, sleep & shower
– Exclusive access to follow Adam and Jason around Lollapalooza as they turn skeptical consumers into believers of the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor
– Tips on how to become a brand ambassador
– Information on what this means for upcoming brand campaigns on consumer involvement
– Free shaves and product giveaways
– Free tickets to Lollapalooza for readers who can name all of the members of a specific band and/or all seven nnovations in the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide
– Details on the previously attended events, celebrity meet & greets, and more!
The effort, which supports P&G’s recent Gillette Fusion ProGlide launch, will send the guys on a 18-city summer road trip and have them document their experiences on a blog: proglidesummerjob.com. (Ward and Fisher were selected from many contestants following a Gillette rap performance on stage in New York’s Hudson Hotel.)
The summer trip includes stops at the ESPY Awards, Lollapalooza, the Vegas Strip, and more.
Live up-to-the-minute photos, updates and details on the exclusive VIP access will be broadcasted daily on Twitter at @ProGlideUSJ.
Please let me know if you are interested in attending the music fest to follow the brand ambassadors or to talk with them for an interview regarding how they won their dream job!
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From: Steve Rhodes
To: Joanna Goldstein
Date: July 28
So let me get this straight. These guys’ dream job was to be brand ambassadors for Gillette? And that’s the brand they have a passion for? And would exclusive access mean that no other media but me would be allowed to follow them around?
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From: Joanna Goldstein
To: Steve Rhodes
Date: July 29
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your interest. (Ward and Fisher were selected from Many contestants following a Gillette rap performance on stage in New York’s Hudson Hotel.) They love the brand since they got their first razor at age 18 and decided to enter the contest that was open to consumers across the country. It’s a dream job to them because they entered and had the winning video for the Ultimate Summer Job that consists of them turning consumers on to the new product launch at major high-profile events that include the ESPYS, All Star Game, Lollapalooza and more! They document their journey on their Twitter at @ProGlideUSJ and the following blog:proglidesummerjob.com
The media coverage isn’t exclusive, but what the initiative offers is a ticket to the 2-day fest along with exclusive access to the 2-day festival and all the activities and areas that the winners will be attending/participating. There will be shave booths and areas to interact with other consumers as well as VIP access areas with other potential high-profile people that the winners meet and greet with throughout the festival.
Let me know if you are still interested in attending and covering winners as they continue to be brand ambassadors on their next stop to Chicago and attend Lollapooza and I will be happy to work with you on securing you a ticket and finalizing logistics with you for the opportunity for coverage on your news website.
I completely understand that there is a lot of branding involved in the story. Keep me posted on your interest in coverage and I will see if my team can secure you a ticket to the festival.
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From: Joanna Goldstein
To: Steve Rhodes
Date: July 29
Steve,
Please keep me posted on your interest level. I would like to begin securing you a ticket if you can confirm coverage.
Thank you,
Joanna
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From: Steve Rhodes
To: Joanna Goldstein
Date: July 30
Um, no thanks.
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From: Joanna Goldstein
To: Steve Rhodes
Date: July 30
Hi Steve,
Although this is open to all media, I am pitching one outlet at a time and if you are no longer interested then I will move on to another outlet. If you change your mind as far as interest, please let me know and I will be happy to accommodate your needs.
Have a great weekend.
Best,
Joanna
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Comments welcome.
Posted on August 23, 2010