{"id":"mkt2-journalist-pitch-approved-stat","audience":"communications","category":"writing-emails","track":"marketing","technique":"grounding","level":"intermediate","title":"Pitch a reporter with one approved stat and a spokesperson","free":false,"task":"You work in communications at Plumb & Co., a rental-management software company. Write a prompt for a pitch email to Sam Whitfield, who covers housing for the City Ledger. It needs a line starting \"Subject:\" of 8 words or fewer, a body under 100 words using only the approved statistic, an offer of the spokesperson with her available dates, and no claim that it's an exclusive. Plain text, signed \"Maya Brandt, Plumb & Co.\"","materialLabel":"Pitch brief (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"PITCH BRIEF - Renter Repairs Survey\n\nApproved statistic: 62% of renters surveyed said they have put off a repair request because the process felt like too much hassle. (Plumb & Co. survey of 1,200 renters across 6 metro areas, fieldwork Oct 5 to 14, 2026.)\nNOT approved (analysis still in progress): \"40% of landlords plan to raise rent\"; any breakdown by city; anything about 2027 predictions.\n\nSpokesperson: Dr. Lena Okoro, our head of research. Available for calls Nov 18 to 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern.\nFull report: published Nov 17 at plumb.example/repairs (do not link before then).\nWe are sending this pitch to several outlets; it is not an exclusive.\nSam's recent coverage: a piece on maintenance delays in older buildings (Oct 28).","rules":[{"type":"plainText"},{"type":"maxWords","max":120}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Using unapproved numbers","why":"The AI adds the landlord figure for punch.","fix":"Say: \"Use only the approved statistic.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Calling it exclusive","why":"Pitches default to 'exclusive'.","fix":"Say: \"Don't call it an exclusive.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"No hook to the reporter","why":"The AI writes a generic pitch.","fix":"Say: \"Refer to his recent coverage in one clause.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Skipping the survey context","why":"The AI quotes 62% with no source.","fix":"Say: \"Include the survey size.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Letting markdown through","why":"AI adds bold text and headings by default.","fix":"Add: \"Plain text only, no bold, no headings.\"","checks":["plainText"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting and often runs past a word limit.","fix":"Cap each part (for example \"each line under 15 words\") so the total lands well under the limit.","checks":["maxWords","r0"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Names the reporter and outlet","patterns":["sam whitfield","city ledger","reporter"]},{"label":"Uses only the approved stat","patterns":["approved","only .*statistic","62%"]},{"label":"Offers the spokesperson","patterns":["lena okoro","spokesperson","nov 18"]},{"label":"Bans exclusivity claims","patterns":["exclusive"]},{"label":"Gives limits and sign-off","patterns":["8 words","100 words","maya brandt"]}],"hint":"A pitch needs one sourced number, a person to talk to and no overreach. Give the approved statistic, the spokesperson and what not to claim.","mission":"Pitch Sam Whitfield a housing story with one approved stat.","musts":["Approved statistic only","Offer spokesperson dates","Don't claim exclusive"],"rubricLabels":["The email starts with a Subject: line of 8 words or fewer, the body is under 100 words, and it is signed Maya Brandt, Plumb & Co.","It uses the 62% statistic with its survey context (1,200 renters) and offers Dr. Lena Okoro on Nov 18 to 20","It does not mention the landlord rent statistic, city breakdowns or predictions, does not call the pitch exclusive, and does not link the report before Nov 17"]}