This guy's ready, pic via (@timmyquigs)

This guy’s ready, pic via (@timmyquigs)

Generally, a press release is nothing more than promotion for a company or product that contains something which might be of interest or use to human beings. The best ones announce new products or actual news… the worst are just lame advertisements designed to fool lazy writers into giving FREE publicity. This one, which I received today from someone representing Majestic and the Phillies, falls into the latter. To the Press Release Takedown, a PRT!

Majestic Athletic Partners with Philadelphia Phillies to Announce Phillies Jersey Day Presented by Majestic Athletic’ on Friday, May 2nd

Jersey Giant & Philadelphia Phillies Pair Up To Launch Team Pride Celebration in Philadelphia

Interesting. We’re all prideful Phillies fans despite their struggles. Tell me more. Is there a new jersey unveiling? A giveaway? Free tickets? WHAT IS IT, SCOOB?!

Philadelphia – Majestic Athletic, the official on-field uniform supplier of Major League Baseball, in partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies and Major League Baseball, is announcing a special day for local baseball fans to celebrate by inviting them to don their official Phillies team jerseys in a show of baseball fan pride for the Phillies home game on May 2.

Not Philadelphia. The release came from a PR rep with a Boston, MA signature. But I like celebrating, and the Phillies, what ya got?!

“Phillies Jersey Day presented by Majestic Athletic” encourages fans to proudly wear their Phillies jersey on Friday, May 2 to work, school or the home game that evening to celebrate their love for the sport and the hometown nine. Similar local celebrations are scheduled for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, and New York Yankees– teams that are kicking off this year’s inaugural hometown events. The New York Mets will host their own jersey day celebration at a home game on May 25.

I’m not quite sure I understand. You… want me to wear my Phillies jersey on May 2, and if I don’t have one, buy one? It’s a celebration… of buying your products? Where’s the hook?

“The baseball jersey is the world’s most iconic sports jersey,” said Chuck Strom, General Manager/VP MLB Business at Majestic. “Many of the most important and memorable moments in sports happened in a baseball jersey. So we thought it was time it had its own day.”

There is no hook. Got it.

Majestic Phillies jerseys are available at Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and on MLB.com for advance purchase in preparation for jersey day. To keep up with Phillies Jersey Day via social media, follow and tweet us at [@Phillies] [#PhilliesJerseyDay]

This is dumb. You can’t just create a day for people to buy your products and call it a celebration. [OK, Hallmark did it with Valentine’s Day. But no more!] That’s not a press release, it’s an ad.  Anyone could do that. I could do that! Here’s my press release:

LOCAL BLOGGER ANNOUNCES CELEBRATION OF OWN APPAREL

A HOME OFFICE IN HORSHAM — Kyle Scott, editor of CrossingBroad.com, has declared Friday, April 25 Crossing Broad Store Day! In honor of the Flyers’ Game 4 against the Rangers, he’s encouraging you to wear your or Wolf shirt, and if you don’t have one, he wants you to buy one. Because after all, it’s Crossing Broad Store Day. On this day, you should wear a product… from the Crossing Broad Store.

“Crossing Broad Store apparel is a must for every sports fan,” said Scott. “I want every fan in the city to buy my products.”

Crossing Broad Store products are available by visiting CrossingBroad.com and clicking on the store link or by going to CrossingBroadStore.com.

I should send this out. Philly.com will probably pick it up.

I thought maybe I was being unfair, so I emailed the PR rep back to see if I was missing something. That exchange:

From: [PR rep]

To: Me

Subject: Buy Our Shit Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing you to alert that Majestic and the Phillies are calling May 2 Phillies Jersey day in Philadelphia . Both Majestic and the Phillies are encouraging fans to show their team pride by donning their Majestic Phillies Jersey and take part in Jersey Day.

Attached and below, you will find a copy of the release on Phillies Jersey day. Any coverage would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me at any time.

From: Me

To: [PR rep]

Subject: re: Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

Thanks. Are all teams doing this? Or just the Phillies?

[I can’t read.]

From: [PR rep]

To: Me

Subject: re: Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

There are 6 teams doing this Red Sox, Yankees, Astros, Rockies, Braves and Phillies.

From: Me

To: [PR rep]

Subject: re: Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

Sorry, I missed that in the release.

Without being too snarky, is there anything to this other than Majestic and the Phillies trying to promote their product? Prizes, giveaways, other special events? A charity component? It just seems weird that there’s a press release which essentially says “this is the day we’re encouraging people to buy and wear our products.”

From: [PR rep]

To: Me

Subject: re: Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

No worries,

Pretty much just trying to keep the momentum going from Opening day. There always seems to be a lull in baseball around this time so they are trying to just encourage fans to wear their jersey’s that day is all.

From: Me

To: [PR rep]

Subject: re: Majestic Apparel and Phillies proclaim May 2 2014 Jersey Day

Got it.

Shit. I think his tactic worked.