The Best Thing I Ever Pitched

Throughout my hunger-driven pregnancy, one of the most addictive shows to watch was the Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Here, chefs and foodies share their favorite dishes and the restaurants at which you can find them.

To pay tribute to the show as a public relations professional, I wanted to share the “Best Thing I Ever Pitched.” My beloved clip wasn’t a national media hit – rather a personal one that involved my grandfather. It ran seven years ago in The Daily Sun, the local paper for The Villages – a large retirement community in Florida.

I pitched Biria USA’s EZ Boarding Bicycle. The bike was ideal for older adults because it had a low cross bar, creating a step-through frame that was extremely easy to mount.  I knew it would be perfect for The Villages, which had a bike shop on-site. But in order to do the story the writer needed a testimonial about the product from a resident. Enter my grandfather (or as I call him my “Opa”).

After explaining what was needed … as well as describing to him what I actually do for a living, Opa agreed to participate. He said as long as it wasn’t an advertisement or unethical, he was willing to give his opinion about the bike. Three days later, he was featured in a front-page story titled, “Pedal Power” – with a photo of him riding the EZ Boarding Bike.

Opa knew it meant a lot to me, and he genuinely liked the bike, so the pitch and story worked out well. I have the article in my office, and it makes me smile because it reminds me how important my family is in supporting my career choice – and how you have to be resourceful when pitching.

Share your favorite pitches if you have them – and enjoy.

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