You probably know first-hand that the PCH Prize Patrol keeps our fans on Facebook in suspense as we head out to our next delivery.  We keep everybody guessing because we don’t want to ruin the surprise before we walk up to some lucky person’s door with roses, balloons and a Big Check.

Fans on Facebook are not the only ones who don’t know where we’re going.  Even my wife doesn’t know.  It’s not that I’m trying to keep her in the dark.  It’s just that – well, it used to be that when I went on the road I’d dutifully leave an itinerary at home – with flights, cities, hotels and phone numbers where I could be reached.  Nowadays I say my fond farewells at home and, as long as my cell phone number doesn’t change (and I keep the phone charged!) I can be reached wherever we go.

Cell phones are just one of the revolutionary developments that have altered the way the Prize Patrol works since we started delivering prizes to winners’ doors in 1988.

What else?  We used to depend on local road atlases purchased when we pulled into an unfamiliar town, or else we got a lot of help from the guys pumping gas.  (Remember them?)  Now we have GPS.  We can also look down on a winner’s address via Google Earth to get a clear idea of where we are going.  We used to carry wallets full of cash too – because credit cards were not widely accepted.  We took a video cameraman with us to tape the “winning moment,” and we still do; but we capture another perspective with video and photos from our smart phones.  We don’t need to send our video back to a New York network feed via a satellite dish atop a giant production truck with a dozen technicians.  Now we can speedily edit and “send” from the palm of one hand to vast social media audiences.  Of course the internet has facilitated every aspect of our trip planning.

While technologies have changed and altered our Prize Patrol operations, there’s one thing that never changes: the awesome thrill of the “winning moment.” Whether the winner’s reaction is stunned silence or an exuberant hallelujah, the emotional impact of a Big Check worth thousands, even millions of dollars is dramatic and an important piece of our classic TV ads.  Of course the financial impact can be huge too: Just imagine if you won a prize that provided a lifetime of financial security for you and your loved ones.  Yes sir: the timeless appeal of winning the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes will never go out of style.

So — since you have the new technologies at your fingertips, why not take advantage of the numerous opportunities you have to enter the PCH Sweepstakes every day?

Wishing you the best of luck.

Dave Sayer

Prize Patrol Ambassador