The pitch you’re about to read is an excellent example of, “Hey numbskull, spend a few minutes learning about a media outlet before you contact it with a story idea.”

A PR pro sent this e-mail to the editor of Ragan’s Web Content Report, a newsletter for communicators charged with running Web sites—not parents of aspiring child actors.

Dear [Ragan editor],

Doesn't everyone think their kid is a star, unaware of the perils of unscrupulous "agents"? Are you planning a story on Casting Kids and acting for Web Content Report?

Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart spent a recent segment sizing up her future competition during her piece, "The inside track on kid casting," prominently featuring [Company X], a Youth-specializing talent company, "Which will help you avoid the rip-offs."

[Company X] have been providing honest and legitimate child talent services since opening their doors nearly 15 years ago. Instead of causing parents to empty their wallets, [Company X] works diligently to compose comprehensive lists of legitimate licensed talent agents and casting directors who don't charge fees from all across the country. The daily updated lists are sold in reasonably priced packages to parents looking for a thrifty start to a lucrative career for their kids. It's through this honest means that [Company X] have helped kids land gigs in commercials, on television, and in shows.

Learn more about the [Company X] at [Company X’s Web site].

Are you are interested in doing a feature, about [Company X]? Please feel free to contact me.

Best,

[Communicator who failed to do his homework]

Is this a poorly written pitch? Not necessarily. It was just geared at the wrong audience. Ragan editors laughed it off. But will the L.A. Times have the same reaction if it's hit with this kind of spam pitch or Wired magazine editor Chris Anderson, creator of the PR Blacklist?

I don't think their sense of humor is quite as evolved as Ragan's.