Too many PR people lack a sense of distance

Invitations always are welcomed.  Occasional noteworthy ones warrant editorial coverage.  But too many are dispatched by PR folks for a local event in their community without thought as to where distant recipients are located.  Obviously, they are trying to impress clients with wide-scale distribution.

Two examples of happenings this week:

·  An e-mail invitation to attend the "official groundbreaking" for a Panama City Beach, Florida, condominiums and town homes project.

Including a post-groundbreaking press conference, the whole affair is slated for two hours tomorrow.  So the PR people seek media representation from someone based in the West who will have to go through airport hassles, hop on a jet and fly cross-country to view the excitement of some Florida dirt being turned over?  Not likely.

·  A slick snail-mail invitation seeking attendance at a press preview of a contemporary art institute in Boston on Friday.

Sounds good with guided tours and catching glimpses of inaugural exhibitions.  And, separately, Grumpy Editor relishes lobster in Bean Town.  But, again, what editorial rep is going to travel almost 3,000 miles to attend an event of a few hours duration?  Again, not likely.

Perhaps more PR people need to have a better grasp of geography with mass invitations.  Best bet:  Focus on media in their region, coupled with trade publications.