Comments on: Errors in the Echo Chamber

By: Nancy Evans

Nancy Evans — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:08:31 +0000

While I am completely sympathetic to the “renegade client” scenario and agree with your counsel to them, I don’t agree with your decision to go public with telling the tale. It reads to me as a defense of your firm’s reputation at the expense of your client’s. Hard call, I know, as we at agencies are as much active participants in the marketplace as the clients. But nonetheless felt to me like a violation of client confidentiality particularly as it wouldn’t be that hard to figure out who the client is. Where do we draw the line? My mind reels at the stories (and consequences) if we all started to spill the beans about client screw ups.

By: Mike Spataro

Mike Spataro — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:37:03 +0000

Hang in there Todd. For decades, clients have chosen not to follow the advice of their PR agency. The big difference nowadays is the stakes are much higher for those decisions.

By: renaissance chambara

renaissance chambara — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 18:52:59 +0000

That’s a hard place to be I hope that everything resolves itself

By: John Koetsier

John Koetsier — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:48:02 +0000

Great post. Congrats for the guts to say what needed to be said. This is the way to handle a PR crisis.

I wonder if you had to fire the client, or if things are getting smoothed over.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:20:51 +0000

I think it’s interesting that you wrote about it. I’ve had clients do this – rip off scathing emails to reporters. The last time it happened, it became a front page story on a major national newspaper and my client’s stock dropped half before the market closed.

The stupidest thing any CEO can do is be reactive.

By: JesseCiccone

JesseCiccone — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:17:52 +0000

Todd,

I’ve already commented on CrunchNotes and DJI, so I’ll spare you too much musing. Suffice it to say, bravo for how you guys handled yourselves. Even the good fights are sometimes lost, I guess.

By: Todd Defren

Todd Defren — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:15:47 +0000

Thanks for the kind words (and tip on the Arrington link). I am at todd (at) shiftcomm.com.

Since I am so open (so often) about my affiliations, people tend to find me pretty easily. But maybe I should add a Contact info link.

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:00:37 +0000

I’m glad you counseled the right thing.

As you probably already encountered the pingback — it sounds like Mike Arrington has a genuine interest in how public relations deals with TC with him in the future.

http://www.crunchnotes.com/?p=302

In light of your own 10 points for constructing social-media friendly press releases, it should be an interesting conversation.

Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers
t @ dji
(PS where’s your contact form?)

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 05:50:26 +0000

Fabulous! I love it!

Man, this is what blogging is all about.

Thanks for providing another side to the arrington bash/love-athon.

Cheers
t @ dji