Comments on: TechCrunch Kills The Embargo, But PR Holds the Smoking Gun http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/ Defining the convergence of media and influence Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Evolving PR Crisis: The Future of the Embargo | Brian Solis - PR 2.0 http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-10258 The Evolving PR Crisis: The Future of the Embargo | Brian Solis - PR 2.0 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:25:45 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-10258 [...] publisher of TechCrunch, one of the world’s leading and most influential blogs, has publicly decried embargoes claiming that the editorial team will no longer honor them. As a result, he dedicates a significant [...] [...] publisher of TechCrunch, one of the world’s leading and most influential blogs, has publicly decried embargoes claiming that the editorial team will no longer honor them. As a result, he dedicates a significant [...]

]]> By: Casseurs d’embargo | Owni.fr http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-7050 Casseurs d’embargo | Owni.fr Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:38:48 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-7050 [...] En décembre dernier, le franc-tireur, Michael Arrington, a annoncé que son blog TechCrunch – devenu l’une des premières sources mondiales de news high-... [...] [...] En décembre dernier, le franc-tireur, Michael Arrington, a annoncé que son blog TechCrunch – devenu l’une des premières sources mondiales de news high-… [...]

]]> By: Evolving from the Herd Mentality: Wall Street Journal Bans Embargoes: | PR2.0 http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-5628 Evolving from the Herd Mentality: Wall Street Journal Bans Embargoes: | PR2.0 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:58:13 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-5628 [...] have instituted such policies due to the actions of over zealous PR pros who would employ a “quantity over quality” methodology. Essentially, these PR shepherds would herd a-listers into a corral of [...] [...] have instituted such policies due to the actions of over zealous PR pros who would employ a “quantity over quality” methodology. Essentially, these PR shepherds would herd a-listers into a corral of [...]

]]> By: Scott Hepburn http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2502 Scott Hepburn Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:11:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2502 I couldn't agree more with your readers who point out the need for serious change in the PR industry, Brian.<br/><br/>Still, I think Arrington's response is pretty childish. And a quick glance through his readers' comments shows I'm not the only one.<br/><br/>We're ALL in the midst of significant evolutions of our industries -- PR, journalism/publishing, marketing. We're witnesses to the evolution, contributors to it, and when we write posts like Michael's, we're barriers to it.<br/><br/>I wish guys like Arrington would realize that we need each other, and flipping each other the bird does us no good. Let's all man up, sit down at the table together, and find better ways to reach out to and educate those still clinging to the old ways of our crafts. I couldn’t agree more with your readers who point out the need for serious change in the PR industry, Brian.

Still, I think Arrington’s response is pretty childish. And a quick glance through his readers’ comments shows I’m not the only one.

We’re ALL in the midst of significant evolutions of our industries — PR, journalism/publishing, marketing. We’re witnesses to the evolution, contributors to it, and when we write posts like Michael’s, we’re barriers to it.

I wish guys like Arrington would realize that we need each other, and flipping each other the bird does us no good. Let’s all man up, sit down at the table together, and find better ways to reach out to and educate those still clinging to the old ways of our crafts.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2501 Ryan Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:04:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2501 Brian- <br/>Just wanted to let you know that I really respect the way you "play this game". Always handled very strategically, fairly, and professionally.<br/><br/>Great work man. Brian-
Just wanted to let you know that I really respect the way you “play this game”. Always handled very strategically, fairly, and professionally.

Great work man.

]]> By: Ruth Seeley http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2500 Ruth Seeley Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:22:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2500 Great, resource-rich post - thanks so much.<br/><br/>Glad you raised the quantity vs quality item, which has always been my pet peeve. One good feature has always been worth 10,000 'mentions' to me, but unfortunately clients don't always see it that way.<br/><br/>Personally, as a news consumer myself, I don't feel any particular allegiance to the outlet that's first with the story; the allegiances I feel are to those outlets that can consistently be trusted to answer all the questions I have and provide background and perspective.<br/><br/>Which is why I was so delighted to come across Todd Sieling's Slow Blogging Manifesto: http://toddsieling.com/slowblog/?page_id=10 Great, resource-rich post – thanks so much.

Glad you raised the quantity vs quality item, which has always been my pet peeve. One good feature has always been worth 10,000 ‘mentions’ to me, but unfortunately clients don’t always see it that way.

Personally, as a news consumer myself, I don’t feel any particular allegiance to the outlet that’s first with the story; the allegiances I feel are to those outlets that can consistently be trusted to answer all the questions I have and provide background and perspective.

Which is why I was so delighted to come across Todd Sieling’s Slow Blogging Manifesto: http://toddsieling.com/slowblog/?page_id=10

]]> By: Michael Draznin http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2499 Michael Draznin Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:12:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2499 Brian,<br/>Very interesting post. Addresses a lot of difficult issues that have continued an unfortunate dynamic between the two sides. On that point, what may be new to some tech-focus comm's specialists, really isn't new in other sectors. This has been the m.o. of most reporters, editors and venues in traditional marketing media for years. And no one even attempted to disguise this unethical (imho) way of working. At the end of the day, it's tough to make a case for professional credibility on either side when so much responsibility is entrusted to "pro's" who think that a phone and a computer are all that's required for them to be experts. Kinda scary, actually. Frustrating for sure. Hm, sorry if this became a rant. Both sides need to up their games significantly. Brian,
Very interesting post. Addresses a lot of difficult issues that have continued an unfortunate dynamic between the two sides. On that point, what may be new to some tech-focus comm’s specialists, really isn’t new in other sectors. This has been the m.o. of most reporters, editors and venues in traditional marketing media for years. And no one even attempted to disguise this unethical (imho) way of working. At the end of the day, it’s tough to make a case for professional credibility on either side when so much responsibility is entrusted to “pro’s” who think that a phone and a computer are all that’s required for them to be experts. Kinda scary, actually. Frustrating for sure. Hm, sorry if this became a rant. Both sides need to up their games significantly.

]]> By: Ann Marie http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2498 Ann Marie Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:10:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2498 I appreciate that you continue to hold all of our feet to the fire, pushing us to do better. <br/><br/>PR is most effective when we have clients who look to us as the experts, trust our counsel and understand when we push back. Setting these expectations and ground rules should be part of every new business discussion, but it's not a one-time shot. It's an ongoing (sometimes exhausting) process. When the economy is healthy and we're turning away business, it's easier to do. But I hope we can all start 2009 with a resolution to live up to the challenges you laid out for us here. I appreciate that you continue to hold all of our feet to the fire, pushing us to do better.

PR is most effective when we have clients who look to us as the experts, trust our counsel and understand when we push back. Setting these expectations and ground rules should be part of every new business discussion, but it’s not a one-time shot. It’s an ongoing (sometimes exhausting) process. When the economy is healthy and we’re turning away business, it’s easier to do. But I hope we can all start 2009 with a resolution to live up to the challenges you laid out for us here.

]]> By: Tory http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2497 Tory Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:57:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2497 This isn't email marketing. It's not a numbers game. There are real people on the other side of our "pitch." This process must become humanized once again.<br/><br/>These are the new rules of engagement<br/><br/>This is the new art and science of breaking news.<br/><br/>Welcome to the new era of PR. <br/><br/>Great post, Brian! Really brings some points home...and I think as we get ready to enter yet another year, hopefully our industry will understand and realize these key facts. Someone is reading your pitch, and is either going to cover the news or not. So develop the relationships first, and then (and only then) attempt to sell them your news. <br/><br/>PS – I have a lot of books on my holiday reading list now, so thank you! ;) This isn’t email marketing. It’s not a numbers game. There are real people on the other side of our “pitch.” This process must become humanized once again.

These are the new rules of engagement

This is the new art and science of breaking news.

Welcome to the new era of PR.

Great post, Brian! Really brings some points home…and I think as we get ready to enter yet another year, hopefully our industry will understand and realize these key facts. Someone is reading your pitch, and is either going to cover the news or not. So develop the relationships first, and then (and only then) attempt to sell them your news.

PS – I have a lot of books on my holiday reading list now, so thank you! ;)

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2496 Jennifer Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:23:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2496 Great post, and thanks for pointing out what should be obvious to PR practitioners--being crushed for time is not an excuse for sloppy, spammish work. The problem, in my opinion, goes well beyond the overuse of the embargo. It goes to the overuse of news releases in general.<br/><br/>You are correct in pointing out that PR people need to start pushing back on this. It will be very, very, tough in this climate to do so. PR isn't just about getting media coverage, after all. If by pushing back and restricting news releases to actual news and reserving embargoes for actual embargo situations (Doug's post on this is great, BTW) leads to fewer releases, this is a good outcome not a bad one.<br/><br/>I think a wholesale revamping of the media relations portion of PR is in order. This spam is driven by the need for 'hits' to fill useless, annoying, and (possibly) copyright-infringing clip books to prove worth (and it's made easier by the ready availability of email lists that some in PR choose to use wholesale instead of selectively). I'm amazed that clients still judge PR firms by this metric (and don't get me started on the uselessness that is ad equivalency). <br/><br/>Identifying the root cause of this propensity to send out mass releases is critical--this behavior must stop, or the entire industry (even the good guys) will suffer for it.<br/><br/>Jen Great post, and thanks for pointing out what should be obvious to PR practitioners–being crushed for time is not an excuse for sloppy, spammish work. The problem, in my opinion, goes well beyond the overuse of the embargo. It goes to the overuse of news releases in general.

You are correct in pointing out that PR people need to start pushing back on this. It will be very, very, tough in this climate to do so. PR isn’t just about getting media coverage, after all. If by pushing back and restricting news releases to actual news and reserving embargoes for actual embargo situations (Doug’s post on this is great, BTW) leads to fewer releases, this is a good outcome not a bad one.

I think a wholesale revamping of the media relations portion of PR is in order. This spam is driven by the need for ‘hits’ to fill useless, annoying, and (possibly) copyright-infringing clip books to prove worth (and it’s made easier by the ready availability of email lists that some in PR choose to use wholesale instead of selectively). I’m amazed that clients still judge PR firms by this metric (and don’t get me started on the uselessness that is ad equivalency).

Identifying the root cause of this propensity to send out mass releases is critical–this behavior must stop, or the entire industry (even the good guys) will suffer for it.

Jen

]]> By: Richard MacManus http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2495 Richard MacManus Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:45:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2495 Great post Brian. Ultimately my favorite PR people are the folks that try to find the right angle for our publication. but I realise that PR people are just as busy as media/blog people, so a lot of times it's the time pressures that lead to people getting annoyed. But your approach in this post is ideal, so thanks for taking the time to write posts like this. Great post Brian. Ultimately my favorite PR people are the folks that try to find the right angle for our publication. but I realise that PR people are just as busy as media/blog people, so a lot of times it’s the time pressures that lead to people getting annoyed. But your approach in this post is ideal, so thanks for taking the time to write posts like this.

]]> By: Doug Haslam http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2494 Doug Haslam Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:53:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2494 Brian-- Great recap. Upshot here is-- don't give embargoes to TechCrunch. Move on, right?<br/><br/>Also, embargoes have their place- and their reasons for working-- if I may be so crass as to link, I had a 10/31 blog post about an embargo that did work-- for all the right reasons (trusted right reporters, needed to hold news for internal client reasons, and made sure to monitor-- by the minute):<br/><br/>http://doughaslam.com/2008/10/31/embargos-in-the-new-age-of-public-relations-not-dead-yet/ Brian– Great recap. Upshot here is– don’t give embargoes to TechCrunch. Move on, right?

Also, embargoes have their place- and their reasons for working– if I may be so crass as to link, I had a 10/31 blog post about an embargo that did work– for all the right reasons (trusted right reporters, needed to hold news for internal client reasons, and made sure to monitor– by the minute):

http://doughaslam.com/2008/10/31/embargos-in-the-new-age-of-public-relations-not-dead-yet/

]]> By: Heather http://www.briansolis.com/2008/12/techcrunch-kills-embargo-are-you-to/comment-page-1/#comment-2493 Heather Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:45:00 +0000 http://70.32.83.183/2008/12/17/techcrunch-kills-the-embargo-but-pr-holds-the-smoking-gun/#comment-2493 I totally agree with you! I don't "blast" pitches out to ppl. I try to make them personalized to the reporter's beat/interest. There are too many so-called PR people who don't really know what they're doing who give us all a bad rap.<br/><br/>I think a lot of this also needs to go back to communication. PR is best when you develop a relationship with someone. And now thanks to Twitter, Facebook, etc --it's easier than ever to establish a relationship.<br/><br/>We blogged about this TechCrunch situation (at www.costadevault.com/blog), but from the communication perspective and the need for PR pros and journalists to work together better in a respectful manner. I hope people who read your post understand that the PR industry is facing its own identity crisis. I totally agree with you! I don’t “blast” pitches out to ppl. I try to make them personalized to the reporter’s beat/interest. There are too many so-called PR people who don’t really know what they’re doing who give us all a bad rap.

I think a lot of this also needs to go back to communication. PR is best when you develop a relationship with someone. And now thanks to Twitter, Facebook, etc –it’s easier than ever to establish a relationship.

We blogged about this TechCrunch situation (at http://www.costadevault.com/blog), but from the communication perspective and the need for PR pros and journalists to work together better in a respectful manner. I hope people who read your post understand that the PR industry is facing its own identity crisis.

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