A Terrble Marketing Outreach from "Down Under:" Men's Briefs

I have started calling my email inbox "Pompei" as I daily get inundated and buried under about 12 feet of emails from marketing folks seeking me to blog about their products. Some intrigue me- and I'm quick to respond. Some instantly lose my attention and get trashed.

And then, once in while along comes a pitch from a PR team that surely must have started on Saturday Night Live. As I read this one, I looked around for Candid Camera- but I know the PR person pitching it and the agency she works at. So, it's the real deal. And it starts with Men in Briefs:

Topic: what to get the guy in your life for the holidays

Solution: Men's underwear of course!

The email pitch sent to me:

This Holiday Wrap ‘The Package’ Properly

Deck the halls with balls…
Nuts roasting on an open fire…

Do tight, uncomfortable underwear have you changing or omitting lyrics to your favorite holiday melodies?  If so, bring the cheer back to where it counts most – your underwear.

Have I completely lost it… stick with me..

EQUMEN, the brand behind the core precision undershirts (aka “Wondershirt) that slim and trim up to three inches instantly, introduces a new line of precision underwear that promise a load of health benefits including:

• Improving posture and gait
• Contouring, smoothing and lifting in all the right places
• Supporting muscles
• Controlling body temperature (keeps the boys at the optimal temperature)
• Managing moisture (no more jock itch)

I will follow up with you in a couple of days regarding how Equmen Precision Underwear (www.equmen.com) can fit into upcoming coverage. In the interim, please contact me for hi-res images and/or samples.

Thank you!

So where does this leave us? Certainly not with a successful marketing to moms campaign. And a guaranteed set back in your relationship:

"Hey honey- HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I love you so much I've bought you underwear, new blades for your razor, and a brand new pair of toe nail clippers!