Thursday, September 12, 2013

Stupid press release: dating site donates HUNDREDS of dollars

Sometimes press releases drive me nuts. Okay, often. Here's one I just received and I was compelled to write back. Names redacted to protect the stupid. All grammatical and spelling errors are left in tact.
"(Owners of dating service)  are extending their mission beyong the real romance in online dating through their charitable donations to orphanage organization, educational institution, medical group, and different foundations. 
With members coming from thirty different countries, to be a true force for change and integrity is part of the mission of (dating site, who McAfee says is dangerous and I shouldn't click, and whose female dates are Christian and Asian).
They have magnanimously donated hundreds of dollars to community groups to help less fortunate individuals improve their lives.
They would be happy to set up an exclusive interview with you as someone who has showned interest in the human side of the dating industry." 
Man, it's so bad they're tempting me like this. I haven't had a good rant in awhile. so I let loose and emailed them this. I made sure to copy both the company press contact, and the PR agency who wrote it. Let's see if they respond! (follow up note - they didn't)
My response:
(PR person whose name is on the press release): maybe you can advise your clients that instead of just donating hundreds of dollars to the less fortunate ("magnanimously donated hundreds of dollars to community groups to help less fortunate individuals improve their lives") they can use the money they spend on PR to help others instead. It's a little silly to send out a press release about a company donating HUNDREDS of dollars - especially magnanimously. Is there another way to give other than trying to be kind and helpful?

It's great to donate money, but divide hundreds of dollars by the number of recipients (medical institutions, orphanages, educational institutions and other foundations), the money doesn't go too far. Any donations are good. They just don't all merit a press release. That's not magnanimous, that's just self-interested.

And for the record, I'm not "someone who has showned interest in the human side of the dating industry." Perhaps you have my work mixed up with someone else's. I don't write about the dating industry. 

Also, given the number of typos and incorrect grammatical statements in your press release, your client should consider firing you.

All the best, Debbie

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