Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap

Guest blog written by Rob Longert.

Apparently WIRED Magazine editor, Chris Anderson, is unaware of this common proverb, or maybe he doesn’t believe in karma…he should. 

Back on October 29, 2007, Chris posted the names of about 300 publicists who he called “lazy flacks”

He did this because, he said, they didn’t do their research. As a young professional in the communications industry I can understand the pressure of media relations, and his reasoning is probably right. But the industry is working on that and Chris even agreed to participate in a November “PR Pitching Faux Pas to Avoid: Top Editors Share How to Keep the Love Alive with Mainstream Media” event, part of Bulldog Reporter’s PR University series.

Was his blog post a call for change in the industry? Probably not.

On October 29 did Chris get one too many unsolicited emails and in a fit of frustration ousted innocent professionals doing their job? Most likely.

While on a trip to China, Chris incurred more than $2,000 in roaming fees on his iPhone, simply because he did not shut off the roaming feature on his phone.

Have there been multiple articles online about this very topic? Yes.

As editor-in-chief of an influential tech magazine like WIRED, shouldn’t Chris know about technological features of the most talked about electronic device of the year? Most definitely.

Did Chris get what was coming to him? Absolutely.

Chris, my friend, it is a tough world out there, and you made a mockery of a job we take pride in, took advantage of the positives we bring to your industry, and berated us to our peers.

Who is the lazy flack now?

Comments

[Bubbles]

Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" is also to this point, but I like your modern-day version better, Rob! Wonder if Anderson, like Scrooge, will see the error of his ways?

[Mike Neumeier]

Well put...well put.

[Ann]

How did Chris manage this? I'm sure ATT put out a press release describing the feature. Oh wait...

[Bart]

More than 120 of the 300 names were general mailbox addresses, such as walmart@newsletters.walmart.com. The point that Anderson is trying to make is that there are too many lazy marketing and PR spammers out there who don't even think twice about who is on the other end of their message.