Since 2007, AgencySpy has been making headway on the battles waged between blogger and public relations teams. The war rages even today by way of oft unanswered requests for comment (via email, phone), scoops given to other trades despite having been broken here (journos are whiny by nature), and missives between agency folk saying things like “oh that AgencySpy, don’t believe a word written there.” Ha, we say, ha. Why? Here’s why (and who we think the bad ones should be more like).
In the last year we’ve grown from 2,000 readers per day to, wait for it, 25-30k. Per day. We’re no Gawker, but fuck me, you’re reading. A lot. Which means we need to get better. It also means the ad agencies we write about should get their heads out of their own tightly wound anuses and pay attention. This is for you: please answer the phone.
In our experience, the shops that don’t respond are often held back by either client or their own higher-ups. Or so they say. We understand when Hugely Giant Client Co. puts the lock down on info regarding Super Big Product Launch #7 — but too often publicists get lazy and say “we can’t comment, ciao.” Unacceptable! We’re trying to write about your company — figure something out. The industry has spoken, AgencySpy matters. Furthermore it’s free press. Yeah, people say mean things here, but grow up, you’ll be fine.
We’ll not bore you with every nuanced annoyance we deal with and jump to a few examples of PR teams who rarely-or-never drop the ball. Here goes:
— BBDO
— McCann Worldgroup
— Universal McCann
— MRM
— R/GA
— Enfatico
— Y&R
— AKQA
— BBH
— Fallon
— GSD&M
— MDC/CP+B
— Ogilvy
— Mother
— Big Spaceship
— Firstborn
— Gotham
— Publicis
And some PR firms that have done their jobs:
— Rosengroup
— Powell NY
— DiGenarro
Subjective as this list may be, it’s good for you to be on it. If you aren’t, we’ve spent the last year trying to open the lines of communication and will continue to do so with your help. Hell — the majority of our “tips” are three word business wins. Those are good things, when your agency’s name is attached, btw.
We’re still going to bust everyone’s balls now and then. But it’s a new year and the ad industry is poised to move forward. Help us tell the stories.
Image (When AgencySpy calls, roll with it, like this rare rolling long cloud!)
More: “Today in Awful PR Pitches…”