Comments on: Vocus Response on White Paper E-Mail

By: When Is An Apology Not Enough? » B2B MarCom Writer Blog

When Is An Apology Not Enough? » B2B MarCom Writer Blog — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:36:18 +0000

[...] disagree. Vocus made a mistake . . . a big one. However, the CMO promptly stepped in and issued an apology and explained what happened. Unlike Sony BMG, Vocus didn’t go “dark” or ignore [...]

By: An Army Of Bloggers Can Ruin Your Day | Oxford Media Works

An Army Of Bloggers Can Ruin Your Day | Oxford Media Works — Fri, 25 May 2007 01:03:12 +0000

[...] be fair, the company owned up to its mistake and even offered a fairly reasonable explanation for what had occurred. As it turns out Vocus acquired PRWeb last year. The email in question was [...]

By: John W Ellis

John W Ellis — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:54:17 +0000

I too was surprised that you are even collecting information on the White Paper, much less sending it out unsolicited.

If, as you say, “customers have expressed an interest in learning more about engaging with bloggers.” That statement in itself I would doubt is true.
However, even if that is the case, then post the White Paper on Vocus.com or PRWeb.com without collection information.

Was the intent to serve or sell?

The intent was NOT “educating our customers on best practices for media and blogger relations”. The intent was to collect information from customers, and see what the need was for future communications.

I guess that has been answered.

As a large PRWeb customer (I assume, although that may be a mistake on my part), I have no intention of downloading the white paper. If you feel it’s important, then send it to me.

FYI, I have been very happy with the relationship I have and continue to have with the PRWeb staff and management. It’s the Vocus relationship that worries me.

That being said, I do thank you and respect you for taking the time to response to the comments.

Thanks,
-John Ellis
http://www.ResortQuest.com

By: An ongoing Press Release › Oops. Vocus made a mistake and has taken responsibility for it.

Thu, 24 May 2007 05:48:30 +0000

[...] Here’s the official response and links to the buzz. [...]

By: Toivo Lainevool

Toivo Lainevool — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:27:44 +0000

Kudos for owning up to the mistake.

After going through all this I thought I might actually go and read the whitepaper. And guess what - I have to give all my contact information to get it. You already have my email address (after all you did send me an email). Why do I have to enter it again?

By: Dianna Huff

Dianna Huff — Wed, 23 May 2007 18:48:20 +0000

As I said on my blog, I thought the white paper very good. I’m impressed you admitted to your mistake.

By: Ether Breather

Ether Breather — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:54:53 +0000

Brian,

You are absolutely correct. There is a huge chunk of PRWeb users who are not PR professionals. There is no dodging the fact that this was simply a mistake, plain and clear. We are going to take all measures to insure that this sort of mistake does not happen moving forward.

Regards,
Jiyan

By: Brian Clark

Brian Clark — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:50:25 +0000

I’m still puzzled as to why you assumed that everyone who uses PRWeb is a “public relations professional.” David Meerman Scott, one of your white paper experts and a guy I’m sure Bil Wagner chats with occasionally, wrote a great PDF over a year ago regarding the use of press releases by non-pr folks, such as bloggers, entrepreneurs and small business people. You should check it out.

By: What Happens When You Spam Bloggers (Hint: It’s a Small World) » B2B MarCom Writer Blog

Wed, 23 May 2007 17:49:12 +0000

[...] to add: Read Bill Wagner’s, CMO for Vocus, response to this snafu. He did this the right way: admitted they made a mistake and what they learned from [...]