Just when you thought PR pitches had reached lunatic heights, in comes the tale of the eight-foot Christmas tree.
Yes you guessed it. A PR agency looking for a quick media win sent a business reporter a Christmas tree.
"Like many journalists, I am not allowed to accept gifts, nor do I want that pen with the logo, T-shirt or package that spills confetti when you open it,” read a post on the networking site LinkedIn. The tale comes from Rachael King, a writer at BusinessWeek.com.
Is it any wonder that reporters are publishing blacklists of media relations and PR people who pull these stunts?
And speaking of blacklists, the latest one comes from Gina Trapani, editor of Lifehacker, who set the blogosphere atwitter (no pun intended) last week when she posted domain names of PR agencies to avoid.
Why do PR people continue doing this? How many times do bloggers and journalists have to tell us: Stop filling my in-box with unsolicited PR pitches! Maybe we should now amend that to unsolicited Christmas trees.
If you’re a PR agency, you might want to check the blacklist to make sure you’re not on it.
The lists have prompted an amen chorus from fed up bloggers. “Unless I reply back with a “yes” don’t add me to a list or pitch me again – it’s not a good match and is only going to build frustration on my end if you keep sending unsolicited pitches,” Matt Haughey wrote on his blog.
One PR agency – SHIFT Communications -- wrote an open letter to Trapani on its blog.
“I hope you’ll re-think your blanket condemnation of the thousands of employees who work at those firms listed in your wiki,” according to the post. “Thanks to outcries like yours, the PR profession is becoming ever-more cognizant of the need for change, and it truly is changing."
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Comments (9)
I like your post! It is so unique and creative! Keep update!
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Posted on July 10, 2012 21:47
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Posted by fake oakleys sunglasses | April 8, 2012 9:33 PM
Posted on April 8, 2012 21:33
As a PR professional (B2B, thank you), I get unsolicited emails from the ad reps, e-newsletters from the news editors, and any number of items every day. I could stand on top of the building and scream my displeasure to anyone willing to listen.
Or, I could simply delete them (move them to the blocked email folder) and move on.
NEXT!
Posted by DJB | May 23, 2008 3:07 PM
Posted on May 23, 2008 15:07
I did a blog entry on this http://helzerman.com/blog/?p=383
the other day.
I think that people who post black lists are doing so boost ratings for their blogs and sites and nothing more. To jeopardize someone's livelihood just to pimp your blog is irresponsible and unethical and, if there is such a thing as karmic justice, some of these folk are in for a rude awakening when they get laid off one day and have to approach some of their black-listed flacks for a job.
As for reporters who claim they don't want to be contacted by media relations people -give me a break. You should know, that as PR people, we're experts at detecting BS and we can tell when you're grandstanding to get people to read your column. Try not to do it at the expense of people who help you get your job done.
Having said this, 98% of journalists are not guilty of these sins, just as most PR people are not spamming-flacks. Everyone needs to settle down and not paint in broad strokes.
Posted by Catherine Helzerman | May 22, 2008 12:04 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 12:04
You media people need to chill. First off, be glad you have a job. Secondly, you get all worked up and pissed off over your inbox. I know it might be frustrating. There are a lot of lazy people in this world. Deal.
Second, often you are rude, and don't return emails and calls. That's fine. But the second you need US, especially for a really big story, you get all flowery and nice and send ME long emails explaining exactly what YOU want and how I can help....with deadlines.
--very strategic pr guy in CA that follows your rules about 90% of the time.
Posted by nick | May 20, 2008 11:45 AM
Posted on May 20, 2008 11:45
I think blacklisting PR firms that don't care to teach their people about how the news works is a good idea. Perhaps we can kill off some of the most offensive PR agencies and let the good ones thrive.
I don't see the problem in listing firms' names. The firms need to be responsible for their employees' actions, or train them otherwise.
Posted by Isaac | May 20, 2008 10:46 AM
Posted on May 20, 2008 10:46
There's something un-American about composing a "blacklist" or "enemies" list, since the purpose of such a list is to prohibit free speech and promote revenge, rather than education.
You can only wonder where the urge to compose such a list originates.
Posted by Pat | May 20, 2008 9:04 AM
Posted on May 20, 2008 09:04
Who are we kidding? Blacklists won’t stop PR agencies from sending poorly-written, unsolicited mass e-mails.
Over the years, bloggers have complained about PR pitches, posted blacklists, and … nothing happened! Nothing changed!
So what will it take? For starters, PR execs should carve out time to teach new hires how to tailor pitches. Newcomers to PR tell me they’re forced to make X number of calls and send X number of press releases to prove to their bosses that they’re “working.”
Mike, your suggestions are great. I’d love to get an eye-catching image or video rather than the e-mail pitch we got the other day from someone named “PR intern.”
Posted by Roula | May 18, 2008 8:21 PM
Posted on May 18, 2008 20:21
This is common sense. Nobody likes unsolicited mail. There shouldn't have to be a blacklist for PR agencies to understand this.
If the flow of unsolicited PR pitches will not change, try thinking of altering the pitch. Something that grabs attention is always worth a second look.
Media is so easy to use right now and not enough people are taking full advantage of that fact. Include a picture in the email. If you have the capabilities, make a video. It's so inexpensive and if you have no budget, it's possible to do so for under $200.
Check out http://www.myragantv.com, and search for "Perfect Pitch" to see more on how to pitch.
Posted by Mike | May 17, 2008 11:36 AM
Posted on May 17, 2008 11:36