Promo-a-Go-Go: Your promotional materials reviewed!

The Hottie & The Nottie is out on DVD (didn't it go straight to DVD?), which means it's for public relations firm MRPM to start sending out the marketing materials.

In the bundle we received at Jossip HQ: a copy of the DVD, a "I'm With Hottie" tee, a pin, and, most importantly, a nip of Jack Daniels, which we're gonna need to get through the movie.

(Click image for larger version)

Crap. New Year's is already behind us, which means it's January, which means it's … American Idol season. And just in time, Fox sent over this super-soft hoodie, which we'll either use to stay warm around Jossip HQ, or as a muleta while bullfighting with our Roomba.

We've been receiving a whole slew of promotional goodies from our friends around town, whether they're media companies or publicists. Or publicists at media companies. While Fox News sent over a mini wallet and cell phone charger, Time magazine gets points for sending over edible treats, like this cookie. Bonus points for not putting Putin's face on it.

We get a lot of mail. Mostly, it’s of the electronic form. But from those marketing agents and publicists who found out our snail mail address, we get packages, too. They’re almost always of the promotional form, trying to generate interest in a new TV show, movie, book, or rehab center. Herewith, we document their efforts.

"HOT OFF THE PRESS," screamed the press release. "The re-launched Promenade magazine."

That sure explains why they sent oven mitts.

By "re-launched," they mean "new owner." Davler Media Group (so named, we're guessing, by combing the first and sirnames of owner/publisher David Miller) has taken over the glossy New York luxury visitor book, adding it to its publishing stable that includes City Guide and New York Metro Parents.

Quoting from the press release, Miller says "Promenade will serve the wealthiest 1% of the world's population when they're visiting New York." So expect to see it popping up bedside at your W Hotel suite and in the seat back pocket of the chauffeured Maybach that's escorting you to your private jet at JFK.

We get a lot of mail. Mostly, it's of the electronic form. But from those marketing agents and publicists who found out our snail mail address, we get packages, too. They're almost always of the promotional form, trying to generate interest in a new TV show, movie, book, or rehab center. Herewith, we document their efforts.

In 2008, you'll see Overture Films' name attached to the opening credits of Mad Money (different from the AMC show), Sleepwalking, and Righteous Kill. They're so jazzed about it, they've been sending out press packets (pictured) as part of their "putting down roots" theme. Formed in 2006 as a subsidiary of Liberty Media's Starz, "Overture's goal is to produce 8-12 films per year, across a broad spectrum of genres, with budgets under $30 million." Some might call them budget conscious. Others might call them cheap.

Either way, they sent over a sappling (keeping with their "roots" theme, people!) that they've asked us to plant. "Choose a sunny location," read the instructions, and "prepare a hole 18" across and 12" deep."

Kudos for pushing their green agenda on us, but what publicity team thinks dirtying the hands of the press is going to benefit 'em? At least we've got a holiday gift to let the interns fight over.

We get a lot of mail. Mostly, it's of the electronic form. But from those marketing agents and publicists who found out our snail mail address, we get packages, too. They're almost always of the promotional form, trying to generate interest in a new TV show, movie, book, or rehab center. Herewith, we document their efforts.

Some gift bags are so stuffed with insignificant promotional items, they're barely worth being deposited into that wicker basket you keep by the door that you hope guests will pilfer while exiting your apartment. ("$1000 off your next Marquis Jet flight" certificates? We're talking to you.) Other gift bags are filled with merchandise that comes with a "Re-gift me!" sign practically stamped on it. (That's a good thing.)

The gift bag from Out magazine's Out 100 party on Friday night was a smattering of both. By "smattering," of course, we mean "a 50-pound doozy that nearly tore its canvas bag." We didn't mind the full-size bottle of Calvin Klein Man cologne or the packaged briefs, but anal cream and a bottle of KY in the same bag? Taboo. And the thumb-size Zirh shaving cream and pinky fingernail-size lip balm are certainly staples for your travel tote, but what are we gonna do with the Pepsi Mardi Gras beads?

Combine them with the anal cream, perhaps.

We get a lot of mail. Mostly, it's of the electronic form. But from those marketing agents and publicists who found out our snail mail address, we get packages, too. They're almost always of the promotional form, trying to generate interest in a new TV show, movie, book, or rehab center. Herewith, we document their efforts.

Received: One small box with "Overture Films" as the return address. Inside, a clear plastic box, sealed with a "M" sticker, was filled with shredded dollar bills. (One editor got upset, thinking they were real shredded dollars. We offered to let him tape them together. He just might.) The monetary confetti surrounded one Masterlock with two keys attached with a little note: "Will they get away with it?" it read on one side; "01-18-08" it read on the other.

To Promote: Some quick Googling revealed Katie Holmes' new movie Mad Money premieres on Jan. 18, 2008. It's about three women working for the Federal Reserve who plan to steal cash. It is not about Jim Cramer.

Score (0-10): 6. They scored for keeping it small and simple. But the suspense – what could they be drumming up buzz for?! – only lasted two-Mississippi's. The score would have been a 5, but we added a point for sending a functional item: We lost our gym lock last week and were about to buy a new one. Thanks, Mrs. Tom Cruise!