George_Cross@qm.ctc.contel.com (George Cross) (01/19/91)
From Advertising Age, January 7, 1991, p24 The contest was to predict the next, even nastier pitch for AT&T LD. The winners are quoted below. Frequent repeat entry prototype: "So I go to pick up Bobby from the daycare center and he's not there. I get home, the phone's ringing and it's them. The guy says, 'Lady, we've got your kid. Say something to mommy, Bob. (SCREAM). Please note, Mrs. Sanderson, the fiber-optic clarity of your son's ...'" First Prize: So the guy says, "Hi, I'm Willie Horton and MCI has given me this job as part of their new work-release program. Let's get together and talk about switching over." -- Randy Dumouchel, copywriter, Primm & Co., Norfolk, VA. Second Prize: I just wanted directory assistance for Montana and the next thing I know I'm talking to Mozambique. So call MCI for credit and I get a recording -- of Roseanne Barr singing. When the operator comes on I say, "AT&T never put me on hold." She says, "Sweetie, AT&T never had a nasty infection like the one I got." -- Eric Gutierrez, actor/copywriter, New York Third Prize: I hear this crash and I find a rock, wrapped in paper, next to my living room window. I open up the note and it says, "You want it in writing? You got it. Next time, take the call. MCI. We know where you live." -- Mary Hoppin, consumer services manager, Asian Sources Publications, Hong Kong Honorable Intention: So the guy says "Paul, if you don#213#t switch we're gonna have to fire-bomb your house." And I say, "Fire-bomb my house? AT&T never threatened me like that." And he says, "You're not dealing with AT&T." -- Paul Gosselin, free-lance copywriter, Nashville George R. Cross cross@ctc.contel.com Contel Technology Center Intelligent Systems Laboratory (703) 818-4504 15000 Conference Center Drive Chantilly, VA 22021-3808