PitchEngine Launches- I Might Have a Plan

August 1, 2008 · Comments

pitchengine When Jason Kintzler pointed out that he’d built a shiny new social media press release maker for PR types, my first thought was: “I’m not in PR. I don’t care, but hey, good for you!” Yes, I know a good chunk of YOU are in PR, so you should care. In fact, I was talking with Shannon Paul about her ideas for a social media newsroom (which are a bit different than Jason’s), and I have a feeling she’ll have something to say once she checks out PitchEngine.

On the surface, it’s simple: set up a small database of client information, build specific social media press releases, share through various means. If you’re in PR, check it out. If you’re on the side of media and reporting, it doesn’t feel as obvious that it’s about you. For geeks, it’s cool in that it mechanizes SHIFT’s pdf in a way.

But then it struck me. The part that I will care about.

pitchfeed

I get a lot of pitches lately. Most of them are HORRIBLY off base from what I write about. Not even close. The only guy with worse luck receiving pitches is Christopher S. Penn.

I’m going to refer EVERYONE who pitches me (who’s not a very very very close friend) to the PitchFeed part of PitchEngine. Basically, this is one place the results of your efforts goes. So in a way, it’s a macro newsroom of the stuff that people will create in there, so that might be interesting-ish. And I have already subscribed to that RSS feed. So now, if I *want* a story, I can pull it from my daily feed reading.

I think I’m on to something. Check out PitchEngine and see if Jason will give you a code.

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  • Hi Chris,
    You have uncovered phase 2 of PitchEngine ;) I've said all along it will change media relations for good and I meant it. PitchFeed will give media customized, filtered press info and pitches. *NO MORE PR SPAM. Wait and see what's in store- and thanks for pointing people to PitchEngine - A New Spin on PR (and media relations)!
  • And for the Chris Brogan faithful - An invite access code to the alpha version of PitchEngine: BROGAN

    (Remember it's alpha testing, so be gentle;)
  • Thank you for mentioning PitchEngine, I have tested it myself for some time and it does look like having a good potential. I can see some additions that could be added to really improve the relations between PR and media.
  • I'd also check out newsvetter which forces those who are pitching to couch their pitch in a format friendly to the needs of publishers. Basically you run your story through an online interview process that ensures that it actually is a story, contains the information required and is useful to publishers including those in social media.
    I think these kinds of solutions are, in part, an attempt to make up for the huge amount of press release spam that many lazy marketers dump into the media. The real message, especially in social media? Show some discipline and learn by listening.
  • Just about anything would be an improvement on PR Web's email subscriptions. I've been on both sides of the PR flow, Chris, and I really feel that the web has only confounded the press release process -- but you know that already.

    Now I'm just waiting for an invite :)
  • Jason, would you be interested in joining the social media release working group?
  • Definetly would like to connect Shel. Please email me and we can discuss!
  • Great find, Chris. As we enter into the beginnings of web 3.0, every part of the economic system involved in going to change. I think this is one of those changes.
  • This reminds me of Newsvetter http://newsvetter.com/ which is similar.

    The social media release is one aspect of the problem, but the social filtering & vetting of aspects of pitches is another interest solution.
  • Matt
    Chris, how is PitchFeed related to social media in anyway? How is it more of a Social Media vehicle than any other Press Release service or personal blog? Just because they use the buzz word does not mean that the service will in anyway allow companies to leverage the power of social media. Just because they have a nice web 2.0y design and a link to a Twitter account does not make them a Social Media vehicle. For god sakes their blog is merely a "Help" section with a few solicited "Press" reviews. It seems like a decent service, but the use of the the words "Social Media" appears to be an unscrupulous marketing tactic to take advantage of customers that don't really understand Social Media. Now I don't mean to be a Troll here. I am open to the possibility that I am way of base here but I'm skeptical. I'd love to hear a response from someone from Pitch to demonstrate that they even know what Social Media is.
  • It's probably called social media because that's what is designed for , the social web. Todd Defren created the "social media press release" concept, not us. We simply made it easy to create and share. Why is our service different from a traditional wire service? Because we not creating content to be sent out to thousands. We want to encourage authentic content that helps brand convey their content with authenticity using video and enabling commenting and dialogue by journalists and bloggers. No other service encourages dialogue - they simply have bookmarking links at the bottom of their traditional press release. As time goes on (we're only three months old) you'll see what we're all about. Not sure why the negativity. We are a web app built by social media. PR pros and media have created what we are and will become.
  • oh yea, and as for "solicited press reviews" here are some twestimonials straight form our users: http://bit.ly/3MlnRI - Go ahead, tell them they don't really understand social media.
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