Fun Press Releases

Fun Press Releases

Reporters get a shipload of press releases. Usually they end up in the trash bin faster than you can say “flack.” But occasionally, for cheap amusement, I’ll hold on to the ones that are written with flair or just wacky. Here’s a few that grabbed me:                 – “Milk-Bone, America’s favorite dog snack, celebrates its 100th anniversary. That’s 700 in dog years!”                 – “National Clean You Home Office Day is March 13.” (Who knew? Who cares?)                 – First rescue center for gorillas to open in Eastern Africa.” (A little far flung for Milwaukee Magazine.)                 – “Sorry for…

Reporters get a shipload of press releases. Usually they end up in the trash bin faster than you can say “flack.” But occasionally, for cheap amusement, I’ll hold on to the ones that are written with flair or just wacky. Here’s a few that grabbed me:

                – “Milk-Bone, America’s favorite dog snack, celebrates its 100th anniversary. That’s 700 in dog years!”

                – “National Clean You Home Office Day is March 13.” (Who knew? Who cares?)

                – First rescue center for gorillas to open in Eastern Africa.” (A little far flung for Milwaukee Magazine.)

                – “Sorry for the short notice. We just finished the filming of “Mysteria” (starring Robert Miano, Danny Glover and Martin Landau). Our wrap party will take place tonight at the Tea-Room, 1738  N. Orange Dr. in Hollywood. Open vodka bar, black tie dress code. Can you make it?” (Again, a little far flung. And besides, my tux was at the cleaners.)

                – “This is from Save the Manatee Club featuring our Adopt-A-Manatee program… We hope you might consider including it in your fall or winter issue, or adding manatee adoptions to your Holiday Gift Guide.” (Who pays for shipping and handling?)

                – “Survey data reveals first date do’s and don’ts… Be courteous and wear deodorant: 46% of singles say body odor is the biggest first date no-no.”

                – “Five ways to be more intimate with your partner.” (Let me guess: Be courteous and wear deodorant?)

                – And there was this one: “So many men are fed up with their ‘man boobs.’ The nation will definitely want to hear about this new, quick, and safe procedure, so we would be grateful if you could read the press release and help us pass this information on…”

                I’ll do my best to get out the news, as always.

Kurt Chandler began working at Milwaukee Magazine in 1998 as a senior editor, writing investigative articles, profiles, narratives and commentaries. He was editor in chief from August 2013-November 2015. An award-winning writer, Chandler has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, editor and author. He has been published in a number of metro newspapers and magazines, from The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Minneapolis Star Tribune, to Marie Claire, The Writer, and Salon.com. He also has authored, coauthored or edited 12 books. His writing awards are many: He has won the National Headliners Award for magazine writing five times. He has been named Writer of the Year by the City & Regional Magazine Association, and Journalist of the Year by the Milwaukee Press Club. As a staff writer with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, he was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and chosen as a finalist for the Robert F. Kennedy Award. In previous lives, Chandler worked construction, drove a cab and played the banjo (not necessarily at the same time). He has toiled as a writer and journalist for three decades now and, unmindful of his sage father’s advice, has nothing to fall back on. Yet he is not without a specialized set of skills: He can take notes in the dark and is pretty good with active verbs.