At Least it Wasn’t a Breast Pump...
Saturday, February 9, 2008 PR is a thankless job. I spent many years in the industry. Probably the hardest job I’ve ever endured. Because of this, I empathize with anyone who’s got a client breathing down their neck to “get my story on Time Magazine!” Well, I’m not Time Magazine. But I certainly felt like it when I got my first-ever pitch this week.
When I first launched The Busy Dad Blog, I promised myself that I would write a “feature” for the first legit PR person who pitched me. No matter what the product or service was. Kind of like a tribute to my former profession. Ok, so it’s one hell of an ego boost as well. Someone out there actually read this blog and thought “this guy can lend some credibility to my client.” Talk about a Leap of Faith!
Lucky for me, I got pitched by a cool company with a very timely hook. Being a parent blogger, I was seriously afraid that my first feature would involve the words “Just set it and forget it. This handy contraption sucks all the nutrient-rich breast milk Jr. will need for the day into conveniently labeled bottles as you watch The Hills or play Sodoku.”
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Disclaimer: The following is intended for all the men in the house.
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Valentine’s Day Made Bearable
February 14th is a day for suckers. You know the moment you walk into any flower shop that day, the owner does that “watch this” sucker-nudge to his partner behind the counter. I don’t have to go on. You’re undoubtedly familiar with the feeling.
I don’t think any creature that has evolved higher than a finch brings their mate vegetation as a sign of affection. At least finches don’t have to fork out $50 for that pretty twig. If you’re tired of being punk’d by the flower industry, let me offer some alternatives:
1) Valentine’s Day Tank of Gas
Fill ‘er up! Premium. Nothing’s too good for my baby. I’d recommend the vintage 157,000,000 BC. That was a very good year for fossil fuels.
2) “I Love You” Hamster
One cute hamster + one vial of red food coloring = one adorable fuzzy bundle of love. I think food coloring is tested on animals, so the little guy will be safe from caustic burns and the like. And they’re cheaper and last longer than roses -- unless you suffer from “Worst Case Scenario Hamster Syndrome” like my poor friend, Mr. Lady.
3) GiveSimple.com
Simple. I like that word. I don’t get enough simple in my life. I like this site because you can browse gifts by occasion. Eliminates the aimless crap-shoot browsing we men do when narrowing down gift possibilities. But I did you one better. I took the time to shop around and give you my best recommendation for the perfect Valentine’s day gift ensemble for your honey.
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Nice T-shirts eh? Very “hot-mom-at-the-preschool” (there’s always a couple of those, right dad?). And what better way to express your love for each other than to remind her every time she looks in the mirror how lucky she is to be with you? In really cool font.
Not quite ready to get your ass kicked? Ok, here are other cool T’s that might not be as easily misinterpreted.
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Here’s something that goes well with stylish T-shirts: Monogram Necklaces. No precious stones or metals. But infinitely more sentimental. Your love will get that warm fuzzy feeling sporting a necklace with meaningful initials on it: yours.
If you’ve already got your name inked on your honey’s lower back, you might want to opt for a less alphanumeric design.
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Fellas, you only have a few shopping days left. Get on over to GiveSimple.com and order something quick. I even worked out a discount just for you. Just type in the promo code BUSYDAD and you’ll get 10% off until Feb 28. I’ve got juice, boys. Mad juice.
Reader Comments (27)
SUHWEET Post Brother!! Just poppin' in for some weekend blog hoppin'
Cheers!
"Sinatra Junkie"
From the weekend blog hoppers
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[BusyDad] Cheers to you SJ! I wish someone would get me a full tank for Valentines!
Heh, heh.... I love the idea of simple gifts. Nothing fancy for me. I've been trying to tell hubby that for days now, and he's not listening.
I'll have to point him to that site.
Happy Valentine's Day to you too BD!
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[BusyDad] I think they'd be totally pumped if an actual sale was made from my post! haha!
Maureen
Still blog hoppin'
Simple. That's right. Perhaps I might opt for that t-shirt as a Mother's Day gift, however, since it would be a bit more endearing coming from the under-five set -- lucky to be their mama is a bit better than "you so luck to be my HOT mama" coming from the Husband, ya know? Still, I'm liking the ideas.
MartiniTime
hopping...
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[BusyDad] Yeah, those 5 year olds can get away with so much more stuff than we can! Sad...
As much as I love it, I do not suggest buying a woman an "I [heart] botox" makeup bag. Cuz it's funny as hell, but much like the too-long pause after she asks, "does this make me look fat?" it can only be construed as a suggestion.
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[BusyDad] I have learned that the pause is your worst enemy. Even saying "yes" is better. You can always recover with "I kid, I kid", as I find myself doing so often on this blog...
Those are actually some pretty fierce long sleeved thermals. I'd love to get something like that, though champagne always works better.
Well done, BusyD. I loved that part about the really cool font...haha.
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[BusyDad] Well it IS badass font, isn't it? And I agree HuckD - alcohol trumps all gifts other than a new car.
Pretty cool! And yeah, you're so lucky it's not a breast pump! I'm actually over the whole - give and get on Valentine's Day thing - We do a nice dinner where everyone picks something. ;-)
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[BusyDad] I wish every holiday were like that. Nothing like eating yourself into a food coma. Love it.
So I'll be using your discount code. On myself. Because J. sucks @ Valentine's Day. Sucks.
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[BusyDad] I sympathize with you. And J.
I work in PR currently and boy do I have some 'pinions..... I've been pitched a lot, some good but a lot bad. I find that some of our sisters and brothers in the industry just don't get it. I have found it most interesting that some of the worst "pitches" I've received have come from some of the BIGGEST agencies in our biz.
Congrats on being pitched!
Blog Hopper,
Anastasia Beaverhousin
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[BusyDad] Cool! A fellow PR person! We gotta swap some war stories. But really, clueless pitchers aside, I really feel for the folks who are on the front lines pitching. It sucks.
Great review; congrats on the pitch, you are in the big leagues now, my friend!
I would love any of those gifts; I am a fan of the KISS principle too ;).
Not that we really celebrate Valentine's here; we're finding it highly overrated. Guess that's what happens after you've been together 20 FRICKIN' YEARS (pretty great years, but still, a long time....)
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[BusyDad] Wow! 20 years? you probably laugh at all the poor saps giving each other V-day gifts. "Ha... NEWBS!"
Great shirts, BD!! I have few that yeah, pretty much if I wear in public, I might get my ass kicked. But I'm Greek, I can handle it!
I really love the necklace though, gonna have to send that idea Hubby's way!
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[BusyDad] Glad I could make his V-day all the easier. Trust me, he will appreciate you straight up telling him what you want. That is a rare and appreciated quality.
So the way I figure it, you got me involved in two internet time-suckers....BlogHopping and Cre8buzz.
It seems only fitting that I return the favor by honoring you with my first tag ever for a meme. It's the Favorite Posts one on my blog that I just posted today.
Don't say I never gave you anything (although I know you would have preferred Newcastle)
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[BusyDad] As long as you KNOW I would have wanted some Newcastle, I am touched. For that, consider your meme done.
Well look at you brutha! Bein' pitched to and everything! Suh-weet!
Loved this: “Just set it and forget it."
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[BusyDad] thanks CG! I'm all grow'd up now!!!!
Not bad gift ideas. Not being a flowers chick myself, I would definitely prefer the tees.
But I've got a much better, sure-to-get-you-some gift.
Clean the house.
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[BusyDad] Clean? what's that? enlighten me please ;)
That's awesome, and I'm stealing it. Worst Case Scenario. Ha!
Thought you might like a girls take on it. http://www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com/2007/02/14/v-day-sounds-an-awful-lot-like-vd-dont-you-think/
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[BusyDad] I liked your girl's take. Too much. Feel free to edit my comment.
Hey, we women have to shop for you folks too and Blue Label or fight tickets don't come cheap!
Though I know it's V-day, any chance you guys would be open to trivia night this Thursday? It ends at 10:30 so you'll still have time after to exchange love hamsters (strangely, I would actually prefer a flamin' red hamster to flowers).
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[BusyDad] We'll be back from Florida on Wed night. If we're not totally exhausted Thu nite, that'll be fun! And come on... don't we deserve fight tickets and blue label? Indulge us...
Dude you are awesome. I might head over there just to see if I can buy something for myself!
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[BusyDad] I admire that! Take things into your own hands! And enjoy 10% off...
Congrats BD and well done! Indeed, at least it wasn't a breast pump ;) I had to write up one of these a few months back, and it was bit torturous. Love the tee. Not keen on the hamster, I have Mr Lady's luck with small animals :(
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[BusyDad] Thanks Sandy! I'm good and broken in now. Pitch away, PR people, pitch to your heart's content! Hey, hamsters are cool because you can buy like a dozen of them for the price of a bunch of roses. Now that's a deal!
Did I mention Bah Hum Bug already? In case I did not I am saying it again.. :)
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[BusyDad] :) want a lucky mom shirt? It might make you feel better. I can get it for you. Cuz I'm connected like that!
Despite years of advertising to the contrary, I think most women would opt for simple on Hallmark Day too. Nice job on the post.
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[BusyDad] Yeah! Fight the Power Tara!
You do got mad juice, yo. Just sayin'.
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[BusyDad] That's right! ... or I just came up on Google when the PR person searched for "Dad Blog."
I'm all about the monogramed necklace, and the tank of gas... that's love!
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[BusyDad] Hell yeah! I would LOVE a tank of gas too! They should really make that a tradition. Of course it costs over $100 to fill my tank, but I would appreciate it as much as a fancy dinner out.
So, what have you got for your loved ones? Happy Valentine's Day.
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[BusyDad] Thanks JO-N, you too! Well, we just got back from vacation, so everyone gets some much needed rest and relaxation. Except for me. I'm on a train right now headed to work.
ohMYgosh...hilarious AS ALWAYS - you always keep it REALZZZ....
luv n it - V-Day is for suckas...i SO agree.
whooot whooot!
;-) heheheheheeee
a-licious
in da hizzzzzouse!
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[BusyDad] cracking me up there HH Amy! Happy Sucka Day!
Well, as usual I'm late. I sure could've used some valuable ideas like these. Instead I opted to write 101 reasons why I love my husband. Took me all damn day.
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[BusyDad] I'm impressed Momo. I would have to give d Wife six weeks' notice and make it an open book test. Happy V-Day to you! ;)
Nice job on the post! I'm kind of sad it wasn't the breast pump. I'd have loved to read your post on that one.
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[BusyDad] I hope this comment doesn't give the breast pump people any ideas!
Best part about this post? I totally had the hubz fill up my gas tank with premium after we went to dinner on Valentine's b/c we'd only been out of the house for an hour. HAHAHAHA. Awesome.
We had to kill another 10 minutes before heading home so we didn't seem TOTALLY lame to my mom, who was babysitting (also don't want her to think we don't trust her! LOL).
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[BusyDad] HAHA! Too funny VDog. A one hour date. I totally can relate. It's almost not worth the sitter's time!
I'm a semi-former PR guy myself. I agree, it's a thankless job. Luckily I'm a marketing director now. Although I still do PR, I get to do much more creative and rewarding work.
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[BusyDad] Hey that was my exact career path! And I felt the same way. Thanks for visiting, Jason.