Right after 911 and all the news items about wireless phone calls at the last minute of life, the wireless phone business made a killing as everyone suddenly wanted a wireless phone.  I issued this press release in October of 2001 as my way to cope with the stress.  Nahh,  I made it up because I can be a sick puppy .

AT&T Wireless Reveals New Ad Campaign

New York, NY (AP) AT&T Wireless today revealed a new advertising campaign to meet what its company president called "the new America".  The new AT&T slogan is, "Reach Out and Touch Someone, Just Before You Die."

The presentation was dramatically staged outside the company's Secaucus, NJ offices overlooking the smoldering skyline of New York City. "The events of the last week have dramatically demonstrated a new benefit of cell phone use that was never known before, " said AT&T Wireless chairman and CEO John D. Zeglis. " we expect this new market segment to provide an engine for growth.  After all, people suddenly pass away everyday."

A company press release noted that the desire to communicate with those who have passed on has been with humanity, "through out the ages", and noted the famous, and failed attempts of communicating beyond the grave by "such luminaries as Thomas Edison and John Lennon".  While no one can communicate from "beyond the grave", they will be able to talk to loved ones "while they still only have one foot in the grave". 

Director of Marketing Gomez Adams said that marketing alliances are being sought in the new initiative and that "talks are very close" with the San Francisco Bridge Authority for a cell phone kiosk near the popular jumping off point.   Adams said that the project has the working name "look what you made me do" and would feature a prepaid, disposable phone that would be bio-degradable.

Gomez said that the company was also hopeful of selling a similar device out of vending machines at major airports bundled with suggested messages produced by Hallmark Cards.