Entropy update: Public relations

CNBC-One of our freelance writers got the following pitch from a PR outfit this week:

I would be asking you to include our clients in stories you're working on (assuming there's a natural fit) or pitch your editors on new stories that include discussion of our clients. We're not looking for you to promote or shill for anything. Just include discussion of our clients in a natural, organic way.

What we're paying varies wildly depending on quality of the secured hit. We've paid up to a dollar per word for great placement. What payment structure would you be comfortable with?

Jim Romensko - “I would like to propose engaging in a relationship where once in a while I supply you with fully developed stories (completed articles) that you can publish under your byline, with or without editing, at no fee.” – PR man’s pitch to a newspaper reporter