Benatar fan hits with 'best shot' and wins dream account

MATT TOUCHARD knew his life would change when his 15-minute brush with fame turned into three and a half hours.

Touchard, a 43-year-old graphic designer, went from being a faceless fan of Pat Benatar to being a key player in her promotions team.

It all started with a day of daydreaming, when Touchard and partner Stephany Geiling spouted off about the ideal accounts they would like to handle at Zermatt Advertising + Design Ltd., their two-person firm in Luling. When Touchard said "Pat Benatar," his 27-year-old partner laughed.

But Touchard decided to go for it. He sent Benatar's manager, John Malta, a three-line e-mail explaining why Benatar and her husband/partner Neil Giraldo needed his help. He emphasized that his agency had won six American Graphic Design USA awards.

"The very next day they called," Touchard says. "Basically, (Malta) was intrigued. He told me, 'I'll give you 48 hours to show us what you can do."'

Touchard waited until he was off the phone to panic.