Going too far or sheer brilliance…
Did we go too far or was it sheer brilliance?
By now you’re all familiar with Chris Anderson’s, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, email list of blackballed PR firms.
A quick glance over the list reveals email addresses from Edelman, 5W PR, Fleishman-Hillard, Ogilvy, Lippe Taylor, Morris+King, SS PR, Weber Shandwick, and dozens more.
Well being the aggressive PR firm that we are, BlinnPR’s business development team emailed some of the clients represented by these PR firms. We let their clients know in no uncertain terms that they’ve been blackballed by Wired and who knows how many other unnamed publications.
Oh and by the way, BlinnPR is not on the list and our clients enjoy unfettered access to Wired and a host of other publications because of our no-nonsense, get the job done without annoying reporters approach.
Needless to say, two PR firms didn’t appreciate our aggressiveness. One going so far as to try and entice our clients and employees to leave by promising greener pastures. BTW, it has been 10 days and still none of our clients or employees has left.
Maybe it’s me, but why would our clients and employees leave in the first place. For a PR firm who has been blackballed by Wired and can’t say for sure what other publications are trashing their emails? But that is a discussion for another day.
Anyway, some people thought it was a brilliant move on our part while others felt otherwise.
Personally, I’m not apologizing for what we did. A day doesn’t go by when our clients are not being courted by other agencies. If you think it doesn’t happen you have your head in the sand. As I see it the differences is in the approach.
Fact is, BlinnPR aggressively goes after new business and represents our clients with the same fervor.
I would like to hear your thoughts. What do you think? Did we go too far or was it sheer brilliance.
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2007-11-29 at 11.54 pm
Steven,
First of all, I think that was good of you to be aggressive. I wonder how many clients never think that competition could actually garner them a better PR firm or Ad agency or whatever service provider you want! If you’re good at what you do and sincerely believe you offer THE best service, don’t be afraid to let people know it!
Second, I do want to correct something you said. Clients and agencies weren’t blackballed by Wired, just Chris Anderson at Wired. That means that you can still pitch any of the other editors at Wired, just not Chris Anderson, the Editor in Chief of the publication. And, what’s more, if you want to pitch Chris, just use a different email address and tailor the pitch to him.
So, inasmuch as I think you acted gutsy, and that’s needed from time to time, I think the premise on which you acted was incorrect. All in all, bold move!