Don’t PR a PR Person (especially if it’s unethical)
In case you missed it, I got this in my comments to my last post.
Hey there blogger!
You write all about your family life in Vegas. I’m currently working my summer job with NineBlue.com which is a website that offers family travel guides for over 140 cities around the world.
NineBlue has just finished up a new edition of our popular guide “Las Vegas for Families” and we’d love a review on your blog (or site)–it could mean $200 in your pocket!
At the end of August we’re giving $200 (PayPal or check) to the blog post with the best review of our guide.
So put on your creative hat and write away! Email me back your blog/web post URL and I’ll put you in the running.
…
Best regards,
Ellesse
More about me: http://www.nineblue.com/about-ellesse.aspx
Hmmm. A part of me was hoping this day would come. The trickle of PR people knocking on my door to ask me to review stuff in exchange for free samples. Sure, lots of other mommybloggers do it. Would I?
Hmmm. What’s the harm? I read a few books, try some cereal, let the kids play with a toy or two.
Well, I do have a problem with it. It’s fine if you disclose that you’re getting paid or compensated by the product people for your endorsement, but then, why would you read me? You’re probably reading my blog because you’re intrigued by my snarky, smart-ass wit and pull-no-punches opinions. Would you question my praises if you knew I was laundering my opinions through paypal? You bet your backside you would. I would expect you to. I would demand it from you. You’re smarter than that.
Now, I’m not going to come down too hard on Elisse. After all, if she is a 16-year-old girl that’s trying to make good on a summer job that she claims to be, I’m going to take this as a learning opportunity for her. A “teachable moment” as we say in my business.
So, in case you were wondering, here’s my response.
Dear Ellesse -
Thank you for your comment on my blog and your request that I review it for my readers. I am always happy to look at these sorts of things and give my honest feedback. However, accepting money for a favorable review is unethical by both journalistic and public relations standards.
I am a member of the Public Relations Society of America and subscribe to its code of ethics. The principles of honesty and conflict of interest come into play here. How can I give an honest review if I know that a negative review would take me out of the running for the cash prize? How could my readers trust in my integrity if they knew I would pander to any company that bought my opinion? I’m sorry, but I have worked too hard professionally and personally to develop my reputation as a trusted advisor and generally over-opinionated pain in the neck to squander it.
So, check back in a few days and I’ll post a review. You’ll get my honest opinion. Regardless of the outcome, please keep my name out of the running for your contest.
All the best -
Fear and Parenting in Las Vegas.
So Ellesse, here’s rule #1 of public relations: Don’t PR a PR person. Rule #2, don’t ask me to violate my ethics. I wouldn’t do it for $200, I wouldn’t do it for $200,000. I can’t be bought and you shouldn’t be either.
That’s almost as bad as Seth Godin getting a spam email then having the person say, “um… so will you do it?”
I’ve heard that this stuff is hell on your technorati, google and other rankings - why is that worth it!? Hurray for ethics!
Good for you for not succumbing to the $$$ pressure!
Well said. I have no problem reviewing something a PR firm brings to my attention - but it’s on my terms and I’ll fully disclose how the product came into my possession and that no money changed hands. ANd I’ll give a negative (but honest) review even if it means that PR person doesn’t want to deal with me.
Who says we have to play by their rules?
But $200 would support my swanky lifestyle! Think of the haircut I could get….
Thanks guys. I agree with Mike, but technically it’s our rules THEY have to play by. I can live without extra consumer stuff in my life.
In the interest of fairness, Ellesse responded to me by e-mail. I think she’s realized how important it is to choose her words wisely.
Here’s what she had to say.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your reply. I understand your concerns, however, no where in my email did it specifically state that the review had to be a positive one, nor would I expect that all reviews will be positive. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding with the term “best review”. It is meant to communicate the most thorough and comprehensive review will be given our award. I should explain this further in my emails in the future.
I appreciate your comments and I look forward to receiving your review.
Ellesse
Social Networker @ NineBlue.
As I said earlier. No harm, no foul. Let’s rack it up to a “teachable moment.” Check back later this weekend for the review.
Love it! I look forward to seeing your review too!
Great teachable moment — that young lady has gotten some terrific on-the-job training from your exchange and she will be the better PR person for it.
Looking forward to your review
Such an important post. It’s something we talked about a lot this last weekend at Blogher. There were actually a lot of tense moments as PR people were feeling ganged up on by bloggers who had some not so great experiences with PR people. I think it’s great that you are able to address it from the perspective of both camps.
And p.s. In response to your comment to me, I think you should absolutely suggest that Blogher be held in Vegas next year. I think they’d fill the whole strip!
It seems if nothing else come of this, you taught someone a valuable lesson in how to choose your words. I can’t wait to read the review!
You should expect to be approached more and more as you “pimp your blog,” participate in and advertise for social networking sites, join mommy blogger communities, and comment on blogs whose authors advertise and review products. It is what it is. If you don’t like it, maybe you should just say no instead of completing a review that you obviously disagree with in principle. I just say “no, thank you” when I am contacted to do things I don’t agree with, but I am not a PR person.
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