In a former life, if I believed such things, which I don't think I do, I do think I was a bat. Cold, dark is a favorite climate for me. The bigger and heavier the comforter I can cuddle under, the better I feel.
Note that this summer I did the anti-bat thing: sun and swimming.
I was so darn proud to go beyond my little comfort zone (better known as the front door) with all of this outside activity.
But truth be told, when I reach inside, when go looking for home, it's dark, it's cool, and when the sun comes you can smell the forrest with it, the ice with it, the snow with it, the wet hard beaches of Lake Ontario where I grew up.
No surprise then that I've always wanted to see Alaska. I used to say to George, man! I'd love to take one of those Alaskan cruises. West Indian roots shuddering at the thought, he would say, "Why? I mean, I know it's beautiful and I wouldn't mind seeing it, but a cruise to Alaska? How about some place a little warmer?"
I think there was two feet of Rochester snow on the ground when I suggested it.
And so that's where Doc and the Linux bunch are, and I swear I could look at those two pictures on Doc's blog all night long.
I'm going to hang upside down from a limb now.
September 16, 2003
annie, your doorstop's waiting for ya! Or, a post in which Jeneane goes in and out of the southern vernacular
Since RB sold my computer to Ann without my prior knowledge, and then offered to sell her our house as well, I thought I'd better pipe up before RB gives AnnC my kid. For free.
Annie, baby, the laptop's yours if you want it. The only thing is, it's broke. I mean bigtime broke. Once I put Macafee on it, it started actin up something perculiar (note, I'm switching into southern vernacular to appeal to the vernal in you). That there software damn did somethin nasty as a hound's tongue after a huntin trip, 'cause the bitch wouldn't even start up no mo.
In other words, first it wouldn't boot. NOW it won't even turn on.
Really, though, these are all features.
You blog less, you spend more time with fleshy people.
I hear that has its benefits.
So, if you want the dead computer Mr. Boy tried to sell you, you can have it.
Mehbe you got a-one-a them there handy men in yer neck-a-the-woods.
Of course you'll have to pay $14,500 for the 2001 Ford Escape that comes WITH the dead laptop.
It's a steal. Really. Email me for details. Your new laptop and SUV are waiting!
With love,
Bruner, You Pig!
Annie, baby, the laptop's yours if you want it. The only thing is, it's broke. I mean bigtime broke. Once I put Macafee on it, it started actin up something perculiar (note, I'm switching into southern vernacular to appeal to the vernal in you). That there software damn did somethin nasty as a hound's tongue after a huntin trip, 'cause the bitch wouldn't even start up no mo.
In other words, first it wouldn't boot. NOW it won't even turn on.
Really, though, these are all features.
You blog less, you spend more time with fleshy people.
I hear that has its benefits.
So, if you want the dead computer Mr. Boy tried to sell you, you can have it.
Mehbe you got a-one-a them there handy men in yer neck-a-the-woods.
Of course you'll have to pay $14,500 for the 2001 Ford Escape that comes WITH the dead laptop.
It's a steal. Really. Email me for details. Your new laptop and SUV are waiting!
With love,
Bruner, You Pig!
GI Joe Calling Barbie
Halley posts that Sir RB will be rolling a hoover during the upcoming BloggerCon conference, which truth be told I WISH I could go to, but can't get away from my work right now.
Halley, I think to best entertain RB, you ought to consider tossing a few Barbies into Jackson's room with the GI Joes. Rumor has it, RB is looking forward to hooking GI Joe up with Lingerie Barbie. I'm told he can spend hours playing with dolls. Well, the right dolls.
If Jackson's lucky, he'll get some fashion-savvy soldier babies out of the deal in about 3 months (the gestation period for dolls). And when those babies grow up to be alpha males, well, hopefully they'll remember some of their mama's tips on accessorizing.
Barbies, don't let your babies grow up to be soldiers....
Halley, Get thee to ToysRUs!
;-)
Halley, I think to best entertain RB, you ought to consider tossing a few Barbies into Jackson's room with the GI Joes. Rumor has it, RB is looking forward to hooking GI Joe up with Lingerie Barbie. I'm told he can spend hours playing with dolls. Well, the right dolls.
If Jackson's lucky, he'll get some fashion-savvy soldier babies out of the deal in about 3 months (the gestation period for dolls). And when those babies grow up to be alpha males, well, hopefully they'll remember some of their mama's tips on accessorizing.
Barbies, don't let your babies grow up to be soldiers....
Halley, Get thee to ToysRUs!
;-)
September 15, 2003
the daily ha ha
Peter the writer gets interviewed by the creative director and producer.
Hee hee.
Thanks to the Happy Tutor for the chuckles.
Hee hee.
Thanks to the Happy Tutor for the chuckles.
September 13, 2003
A rant that makes no sense to you, maybe.
Don't you hate it when women get laid off right when they're coming back from maternity leave? You hate that. Right? I hated that when it happened to me six years ago. I hated it so much I got a good lawyer who got the severance I deserved (the one that was in the employee handbook, not the one they made up on let-go day).
Boy, I really hated that I was punished for having a baby after five years of stellar performance, the company hero, the results getter.
Can you spell W-h-a-t- h-a-v-e y-o-u d-o-n-e f-o-r m-e l-a-t-e-l-y.
You really hate that not very many people understand that while you were out of the office, you were finishing baking and birthing a human being. That kind of took up some time on this extended vacation called "disability" (in my day it was).
There are enough women in HR now, in management now, that this shouldn't be happening. It is beginning to smell more and more rotten to me. When women are so worried about their own asses that they won't even stop to notice another woman's ass being raked over the coals, that just plain stinks.
What's next--should we start eating our young and just be done with it?
I mean, there are enough mothers out there to stand up against this growing practice of ousting women on the eve of their return to work, to make a real stink about it when it happens to a colleague. Aren't there?
Aren't there?
Where are all the fucking women in this world?
Hello??????????????
And by the way, if this happens to you unjustly, and you live in Georgia, Adam Conti's great.
Boy, I really hated that I was punished for having a baby after five years of stellar performance, the company hero, the results getter.
Can you spell W-h-a-t- h-a-v-e y-o-u d-o-n-e f-o-r m-e l-a-t-e-l-y.
You really hate that not very many people understand that while you were out of the office, you were finishing baking and birthing a human being. That kind of took up some time on this extended vacation called "disability" (in my day it was).
There are enough women in HR now, in management now, that this shouldn't be happening. It is beginning to smell more and more rotten to me. When women are so worried about their own asses that they won't even stop to notice another woman's ass being raked over the coals, that just plain stinks.
What's next--should we start eating our young and just be done with it?
I mean, there are enough mothers out there to stand up against this growing practice of ousting women on the eve of their return to work, to make a real stink about it when it happens to a colleague. Aren't there?
Aren't there?
Where are all the fucking women in this world?
Hello??????????????
And by the way, if this happens to you unjustly, and you live in Georgia, Adam Conti's great.
September 12, 2003
bye bye ketchum blog
An update of sorts: the ketchum blog I referenced a couple of days back for its cluelessness is now sans content. As in, the posts there have been deleted, but either someone doesn't know how to delete the blog itself, or maybe they're planning to have another go at it. Time will tell. I have my guess already. I wish I had a bookie.
My original post on the blog has no comments because YACCS, my comment facility, was down and out at the time. But hunt around the PR bloggers. You'll see the references. The latest is over on PR Opinions, where I left a comment, and Tom wrote another good post (although we differ in our predictions) on the topic of BigPR.
So that's the update.
Oh, and...
Anyone wonder if I'm feeling particularly good about pointing the Ketchum blog out and generating much PR biz buzz over it? Or if maybe I'm feeling guilty that my pointing out the blog may have played a role in their ditching the content?
Do you really want to know?
Who knows me--come on, you guys know me... what's your vote?
Good or Guilty.
Lemme know, then I'll tell you that I feel G......................... Well, maybe later.
My original post on the blog has no comments because YACCS, my comment facility, was down and out at the time. But hunt around the PR bloggers. You'll see the references. The latest is over on PR Opinions, where I left a comment, and Tom wrote another good post (although we differ in our predictions) on the topic of BigPR.
So that's the update.
Oh, and...
Anyone wonder if I'm feeling particularly good about pointing the Ketchum blog out and generating much PR biz buzz over it? Or if maybe I'm feeling guilty that my pointing out the blog may have played a role in their ditching the content?
Do you really want to know?
Who knows me--come on, you guys know me... what's your vote?
Good or Guilty.
Lemme know, then I'll tell you that I feel G......................... Well, maybe later.
what a post
When halley does it, she really does it. Damn. A fine post.
Nothing was easy for anyone and of course terrible in some ways for my son. No kid votes to dissolve a family -- they could give a shit if you're unhappily married. You do everything to avoid it. You're kidding yourself if you think they'll EVER understand that your happiness matters. They are built for their own selfish survival and they want family, not rupture. I like that about them. They're smart. They make it painfully clear that you're an asshole -- both of you -- you're both assholes for not being able to stay together.
So you just keep losing and losing -- parents and husbands and weight and you name it -- and some how you come out the other side. God knows how. For me -- it's about writing -- it was the only self I could hold on to and the only place I could go and find a long lost self. What did I write? Irony of ironies -- I wrote about men, all the while not understanding the man I had married at all, letting him down in a million ways perhaps, and simultaneously letting down the boy I was raising. But wait, there is a happy ending -- I'm almost sure of it. I see little glimmers even now. We're all coming through it alive.
Nothing was easy for anyone and of course terrible in some ways for my son. No kid votes to dissolve a family -- they could give a shit if you're unhappily married. You do everything to avoid it. You're kidding yourself if you think they'll EVER understand that your happiness matters. They are built for their own selfish survival and they want family, not rupture. I like that about them. They're smart. They make it painfully clear that you're an asshole -- both of you -- you're both assholes for not being able to stay together.
So you just keep losing and losing -- parents and husbands and weight and you name it -- and some how you come out the other side. God knows how. For me -- it's about writing -- it was the only self I could hold on to and the only place I could go and find a long lost self. What did I write? Irony of ironies -- I wrote about men, all the while not understanding the man I had married at all, letting him down in a million ways perhaps, and simultaneously letting down the boy I was raising. But wait, there is a happy ending -- I'm almost sure of it. I see little glimmers even now. We're all coming through it alive.
September 11, 2003
yes i know what day it is
a hoard of bloggers will relate their impressions and feelings of the day that changed everything today. Not me. I let mainstream media do that kinda thing.
You see, it's all they have left. I figure we ought to let them keep something. You know, remembrances. Anniversaries. Obituaries. Terror alerts. That kind of thing. So turn on CNN if you want to hear all about the day that was. Better yet, hug your kids and take them to Chuck-E-Cheese or the park.
And Halley, don't preempt my honor role award with that writing that leaves lumps in people's throats, now, ya hear?
You see, it's all they have left. I figure we ought to let them keep something. You know, remembrances. Anniversaries. Obituaries. Terror alerts. That kind of thing. So turn on CNN if you want to hear all about the day that was. Better yet, hug your kids and take them to Chuck-E-Cheese or the park.
And Halley, don't preempt my honor role award with that writing that leaves lumps in people's throats, now, ya hear?
September 10, 2003
smelling her breath and public relations
Okay, I admit it. One of my favorite things about night time when I lay down with Jenna to itch her back is lying face to face, and when she finally falls asleep, If I can stand waiting the very long time it often takes, smelling her breath as she exhales. Not just smelling it really, more like sucking it in.
I time it. She breathes out, and I breath in. Her little breath smells so sweet I want to drink it in like fruit juice.
Tonight I thought, if I inhale with enough force, I wonder if I could suck her back inside me so I could protect her from the world. From nasty cats and boo-boos. From icky spiders and bullies.
You think?
In other news, I'm getting tons of great mail from folks who liked my Bye Bye Big PR post. From "You Go, Girl" to "You hit the nail on the head," my peeps in and out da biz dug it.
Bloggers, thank you for hearing me. It helps validate us lunatics who really are in charge of the asylum--and can that be a bad thing, can it?
Speaking of lunatics and all, The Hooter Tutor, err, I mean, Happy Tutor had, as usual, gobs of insight and intelligent commentary on the TooBigAgency issue. The comment banter between Happy and Gerald is worth the read. I think everyone over there is in agreement that Valium is the answer for me.
Ben Silverman of dotcomscoop fame mentioned it in his ezine.
Uncle Doc (doctor unc?) gave me my props.
Halley the Glove Suitt gave her readers a mandate to check out my take on the end of BigPR, and I see today she's hoisted me onto her September Blogger Honor Roll--I'm so excited! I haven't made an honor roll for more than 20 years! Thanks Halley!
And Jeremy over at his Pop-PR blog chimed in too.
Who'd I miss--anyone?
And, lastly, don't you think the broccoli in those Uncle Ben's Add Boiling Water Quickie Pasta Dinners tastes amazingly like cabbage?
So many things blow my mind.
I am slammed with work that I would have once been doing within the BigPR context. But instead I've been writing from my couch, and it's gotten so out of hand--this work--that I needed a change of scenery, so I have moved my laptop to the floor, and I'm now sprawled out with papers and an empty Starbuck's cup thinking it's time to sleep.
Nighty night.
I time it. She breathes out, and I breath in. Her little breath smells so sweet I want to drink it in like fruit juice.
Tonight I thought, if I inhale with enough force, I wonder if I could suck her back inside me so I could protect her from the world. From nasty cats and boo-boos. From icky spiders and bullies.
You think?
In other news, I'm getting tons of great mail from folks who liked my Bye Bye Big PR post. From "You Go, Girl" to "You hit the nail on the head," my peeps in and out da biz dug it.
Bloggers, thank you for hearing me. It helps validate us lunatics who really are in charge of the asylum--and can that be a bad thing, can it?
Speaking of lunatics and all, The Hooter Tutor, err, I mean, Happy Tutor had, as usual, gobs of insight and intelligent commentary on the TooBigAgency issue. The comment banter between Happy and Gerald is worth the read. I think everyone over there is in agreement that Valium is the answer for me.
Ben Silverman of dotcomscoop fame mentioned it in his ezine.
Uncle Doc (doctor unc?) gave me my props.
Halley the Glove Suitt gave her readers a mandate to check out my take on the end of BigPR, and I see today she's hoisted me onto her September Blogger Honor Roll--I'm so excited! I haven't made an honor roll for more than 20 years! Thanks Halley!
And Jeremy over at his Pop-PR blog chimed in too.
Who'd I miss--anyone?
And, lastly, don't you think the broccoli in those Uncle Ben's Add Boiling Water Quickie Pasta Dinners tastes amazingly like cabbage?
So many things blow my mind.
I am slammed with work that I would have once been doing within the BigPR context. But instead I've been writing from my couch, and it's gotten so out of hand--this work--that I needed a change of scenery, so I have moved my laptop to the floor, and I'm now sprawled out with papers and an empty Starbuck's cup thinking it's time to sleep.
Nighty night.
September 09, 2003
should she or shouldn't she? Only Glove Girl knows for sure
Halley has a dilemma over her way. Her Harvard B'ness Review Glove Girl and Blogging article has been published in full-frontal fashion by another blogger for all to see. Problem is, Harvard keeps its cherished content behind a pay-fer firewall on purpose--it's part of Harvard Publishing's business model. Oh dear.
Does Halley point to the lifted version of the article, or ignore it? Hmmm.
I say it's time to show Harvard that they had the real Glove Girl in their midst, link to the blog-land-based article content, and see Harvard handles it.
They have a panel of experts they can ask for guidance. ;-)
Does Halley point to the lifted version of the article, or ignore it? Hmmm.
I say it's time to show Harvard that they had the real Glove Girl in their midst, link to the blog-land-based article content, and see Harvard handles it.
They have a panel of experts they can ask for guidance. ;-)
Hossein Rocks On with His Bad Self over at YACCS
Man, if all businesses delivered on schedule like blog-land businesses, it'd be a happier world. Hossein has YACCS comment facility back up and running, as scheduled. I bet Gary's doing the happy dance too.
So how the hell IS everyone?
So how the hell IS everyone?
September 08, 2003
I dunno
So what do I do. The YACCS comment facility--which has been down, and which I don't really mind being down since it's been reliable for a long time--is really slowing down my blog by not working. I'd ask you to leave me a comment on what comment facilities you use, but, um, you can't. SO I guess I'll give it another day. Hossein was estimating he'd have the server up by tomorrow.
Guess I'll go take a snooze.
In the mean time, my keyboard's acting up too--extra letters, not registering the space bar when I hit it. It makes hellish work out of writing for a living. I really need an editor now. Except that's my job too. Oh fuck.
Guess I'll go take a snooze.
In the mean time, my keyboard's acting up too--extra letters, not registering the space bar when I hit it. It makes hellish work out of writing for a living. I really need an editor now. Except that's my job too. Oh fuck.
September 07, 2003
blogging is like having a cigarette
okay, so, I finished another page of web copy, so blogging is my reward, my way to lul myself in the coma I seem to need to be in these days to sleep.
Jenna is doing well. So well. We are so thankful. She's back to 100-percent, with a doctor re-check coming this week. In some ways, I think she's better than she's been in a long time. Of course, that could have something to do with having her daddy to pal around with.
I had a recurring dream last night that Hunter the cat came back. And back. And back. Every time I opened the front door, there he was, jumping through the screen (like always) and biting my calves. It was one of those real dreams. When I went outside today, I opened the door slowly.
The house is a mess. I realize now that the eight hours of sleep I got last night was the longest run of shut-eye I've had in nearly three weeks. Most nights since Jenna got sick were 4 hours, and the hospital was virtually sleepless for three days, followed by the killer work project of all projects, and more of the same.
I'm not complaining because that sweet baby who'll be six years old the end of this month is doing well. Like I said, at this time in my life, that's what matters.
Still, I'm tired. And I think I better hit the sack.
Thanks for hanging with me.
I'm hoping Hossein has the comments working again this week. I miss them. I don't know how glovegirl lives without 'em. ;-)
Jenna is doing well. So well. We are so thankful. She's back to 100-percent, with a doctor re-check coming this week. In some ways, I think she's better than she's been in a long time. Of course, that could have something to do with having her daddy to pal around with.
I had a recurring dream last night that Hunter the cat came back. And back. And back. Every time I opened the front door, there he was, jumping through the screen (like always) and biting my calves. It was one of those real dreams. When I went outside today, I opened the door slowly.
The house is a mess. I realize now that the eight hours of sleep I got last night was the longest run of shut-eye I've had in nearly three weeks. Most nights since Jenna got sick were 4 hours, and the hospital was virtually sleepless for three days, followed by the killer work project of all projects, and more of the same.
I'm not complaining because that sweet baby who'll be six years old the end of this month is doing well. Like I said, at this time in my life, that's what matters.
Still, I'm tired. And I think I better hit the sack.
Thanks for hanging with me.
I'm hoping Hossein has the comments working again this week. I miss them. I don't know how glovegirl lives without 'em. ;-)
Pimping Iron
Is anyone really surprised at this? Arnold a racist. You could knock me over with a feather. The racial slurs are one thing, but what up with not paying the $10K lil Arnold? [[yes, i believe the reports.]]
At different times, different things
Blogging means different things at different times to me. Tonight, it is a complete procrastination tool.
Mostly, blogging is breathing. It's something I have to do, to write, to hear my voice, to know I'm alive, you're alive. It's about hearing heart beats. And when I go away from it, the world sounds so loud, but not with beating hearts. More with backfiring cars and pound-pound-pound from the rennovations on the house up the street. How many cars really need to back out of driveways every day? Don't they know?
Tonight though, pure and simple, I'm procrastinating here. I have copy to write. I don't want to write it. I want to hear hearts beating instead.
This is not good.
Looming deadline.
Lots of pages to write.
Why am I hear?
The question is, why do we have to be anyplace else. Darnit.
Okay, I have to do my work now.
More later.
Mostly, blogging is breathing. It's something I have to do, to write, to hear my voice, to know I'm alive, you're alive. It's about hearing heart beats. And when I go away from it, the world sounds so loud, but not with beating hearts. More with backfiring cars and pound-pound-pound from the rennovations on the house up the street. How many cars really need to back out of driveways every day? Don't they know?
Tonight though, pure and simple, I'm procrastinating here. I have copy to write. I don't want to write it. I want to hear hearts beating instead.
This is not good.
Looming deadline.
Lots of pages to write.
Why am I hear?
The question is, why do we have to be anyplace else. Darnit.
Okay, I have to do my work now.
More later.
September 05, 2003
Ketchum Comes Unclued
Lest you think I exaggerate the sad state of BigPR, and its obvious lack of understanding about how to relate to markets on behalf of clients or on behalf of themselves, check out this new Kudos Confidential blog from Ketchum.
I point to this blog because it is a public weblog on blogspot, a place where I've hosted my own blogs for two years plus, a place where I earn my living in ways I'm really beginning to understand, a place where I started the first blogspot resident team weblog back in 2001.
For those who do not know, let me state that Kudos are awards bestowed by Ketchum on "Ketchumites" with the purpose of rewarding employees for delivering results for clients. At least that's how I remember them. I could be wrong. I do remember that the best entries uncoverd during the time-intensive Kudos nomination process were also often submitted for PR Week's Silver Anvil Awards--again, more awards bestowed by those with a vested interest in BigPR to those working in BigPR.
How do you spell, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."
The fact that the first official Blog Ketchum has launched on blogspot serves as a back-patting interoffice circle jerk (sorry for the mixed metaphor--I thought it might give you all something to ponder as you drift off to sleep)--masquerading as a hip controversial PR Real World episode--is laughable.
And that's being kind.
It's actually tragic.
It demonstrates perfectly the tragic state of BigPR: The mighty have fallen; get out the violins.
Meanwhile, in the ranks at Ketchum, I know of a few bloggers who do not have an AAE, AE, SAE, VP, SVP or Director title. In fact, they work in a capacity where most of the folks with those titles on their business cards wouldn't think to ask these workers' opinions about marketing, business, and the Internet.
Yet, I would wager that these individual bloggers are tied into more voices, knowledge, business-related interactions, and personal relationships of value by genuinely participating in this space than the highest ranking, highest billing PR Strategist in that same organization.
You see? That is how it's working.
And they don't have a clue.
You may be wondering if I'm risking anything by discussing a former employer this way. Maybe. But I don't see this post that way. I am discussing a Ketchum weblog launched in a public medium--one in which I am a stakeholder. My weblog is an integral part of how I earn a living doing what I do.
In that respect, it is my job to comment on relevant happenings here. Do you see? That any large PR firm would come here with a flawed concept would beg my pointing it out to allied readers.
That's how I see it. And you?
Stupid Tactics from The World of Big-PR Part Deux:
PR spamery alert from Dan Gilmore
And Mitch Kapor weighs in too.
I point to this blog because it is a public weblog on blogspot, a place where I've hosted my own blogs for two years plus, a place where I earn my living in ways I'm really beginning to understand, a place where I started the first blogspot resident team weblog back in 2001.
For those who do not know, let me state that Kudos are awards bestowed by Ketchum on "Ketchumites" with the purpose of rewarding employees for delivering results for clients. At least that's how I remember them. I could be wrong. I do remember that the best entries uncoverd during the time-intensive Kudos nomination process were also often submitted for PR Week's Silver Anvil Awards--again, more awards bestowed by those with a vested interest in BigPR to those working in BigPR.
How do you spell, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."
The fact that the first official Blog Ketchum has launched on blogspot serves as a back-patting interoffice circle jerk (sorry for the mixed metaphor--I thought it might give you all something to ponder as you drift off to sleep)--masquerading as a hip controversial PR Real World episode--is laughable.
And that's being kind.
It's actually tragic.
It demonstrates perfectly the tragic state of BigPR: The mighty have fallen; get out the violins.
Meanwhile, in the ranks at Ketchum, I know of a few bloggers who do not have an AAE, AE, SAE, VP, SVP or Director title. In fact, they work in a capacity where most of the folks with those titles on their business cards wouldn't think to ask these workers' opinions about marketing, business, and the Internet.
Yet, I would wager that these individual bloggers are tied into more voices, knowledge, business-related interactions, and personal relationships of value by genuinely participating in this space than the highest ranking, highest billing PR Strategist in that same organization.
You see? That is how it's working.
And they don't have a clue.
You may be wondering if I'm risking anything by discussing a former employer this way. Maybe. But I don't see this post that way. I am discussing a Ketchum weblog launched in a public medium--one in which I am a stakeholder. My weblog is an integral part of how I earn a living doing what I do.
In that respect, it is my job to comment on relevant happenings here. Do you see? That any large PR firm would come here with a flawed concept would beg my pointing it out to allied readers.
That's how I see it. And you?
Stupid Tactics from The World of Big-PR Part Deux:
PR spamery alert from Dan Gilmore
And Mitch Kapor weighs in too.
Bye Bye Big PR
Big PR is not quite dead, but it is dying an agonizing death that's getting difficult to watch. At least for anyone who's suffered through the cubes and brainstorms of large agency life for any time at all. Those of us who remember when what we did really did matter. Just a little. Never a lot. But still, some.
The reason for Big-PR's demise is quite simple: They can't afford to operate without charging inflated rates. That's a pickle. Because those of us out on the market now--the higher-priced talent separated (voluntarily or involuntarily) from Big PR over the last two years--can offer better services at half the price or less.
Where once Big PR boasted about best practices and a global network of communications professionals, they don't have that anymore. Instead, we are the ones creating nimble networks among one another, which are growing larger and more valuable. We are nimble enough (most of us working out of our homes) and lean enough to charge much less and deliver much more. A network of one-off specialists, experts in their areas, linked through the power of the Web and personal contacts.
Voice to voice, we are changing the face of PR and marketing. You heard it here first.
I'm not sure where BigPR thought most of us would go--the army separated veterans. Because many are owned by fat-cow parent companies, my hunch is that their layers of blubber have made it impossible for them to look that far down the organizational food chain. But a whole bunch of us are out here. And we're starting to eat well. And we're working with the clients we used to work with there.
Clients who are old friends. Clients who are happy to pay our rates and get the same work they got for a hell of a lot less.
Yes, it's really happening.
Even the largest of companies are growing tired of BigPR staffing projects with fresh-out-of-college, inexperienced, lower-level people (that is the only category of PR flacks large agencies can afford to keep only partially billable, you see), yet charging as if they were staffing the project with brain surgeons--or attorneys.
It's common for BigPR to bill out an assistant account executive--which is the administrative assistant of PRville--at $120 to $140 an hour. VP's are billing out at nearly $200 an hour, and SVPs commonly around $250 or more per hour.
You tell me.... Why would anyone pay it in a tight economy when they can get smart, senior level people out on their own for around $100 an hour. And thanks to the Web, the same clients who are paying inflated rates to BigPR can tap into an entire network of loosely joined ex-agency talent that shares leads, news, and really cool gossip I wouldn't even tell you about here. We're self organizing, and it ought to scare the pants off of them.
But it doesn't.
Because they can't afford to see that the emperor is walking around butt naked.
The reason for Big-PR's demise is quite simple: They can't afford to operate without charging inflated rates. That's a pickle. Because those of us out on the market now--the higher-priced talent separated (voluntarily or involuntarily) from Big PR over the last two years--can offer better services at half the price or less.
Where once Big PR boasted about best practices and a global network of communications professionals, they don't have that anymore. Instead, we are the ones creating nimble networks among one another, which are growing larger and more valuable. We are nimble enough (most of us working out of our homes) and lean enough to charge much less and deliver much more. A network of one-off specialists, experts in their areas, linked through the power of the Web and personal contacts.
Voice to voice, we are changing the face of PR and marketing. You heard it here first.
I'm not sure where BigPR thought most of us would go--the army separated veterans. Because many are owned by fat-cow parent companies, my hunch is that their layers of blubber have made it impossible for them to look that far down the organizational food chain. But a whole bunch of us are out here. And we're starting to eat well. And we're working with the clients we used to work with there.
Clients who are old friends. Clients who are happy to pay our rates and get the same work they got for a hell of a lot less.
Yes, it's really happening.
Even the largest of companies are growing tired of BigPR staffing projects with fresh-out-of-college, inexperienced, lower-level people (that is the only category of PR flacks large agencies can afford to keep only partially billable, you see), yet charging as if they were staffing the project with brain surgeons--or attorneys.
It's common for BigPR to bill out an assistant account executive--which is the administrative assistant of PRville--at $120 to $140 an hour. VP's are billing out at nearly $200 an hour, and SVPs commonly around $250 or more per hour.
You tell me.... Why would anyone pay it in a tight economy when they can get smart, senior level people out on their own for around $100 an hour. And thanks to the Web, the same clients who are paying inflated rates to BigPR can tap into an entire network of loosely joined ex-agency talent that shares leads, news, and really cool gossip I wouldn't even tell you about here. We're self organizing, and it ought to scare the pants off of them.
But it doesn't.
Because they can't afford to see that the emperor is walking around butt naked.
it's okay Hossein
The status for us YACCS comments users: he's working on it. No problem, Hossein. YACCS has been a reliable comment facility for me for two years. I can wait a few days. Hope it all goes smoothly.
September 04, 2003
Trying
I have just four spare minutes to write. And really, so much, that I'm not sure what to write. I'm trying, you know? I really am. And it is trying. I haven't had five seconds to decompress since the Hospital adventure. For better, I guess, not worse, the work I had basically none of during the past month has all come in at once. And it's hard stuff, not easy stuff.
Jenna's going through some changes. You know? To be expected. She has every right. But the screaming.... Everything at once for her too: start kindergarten, so sick, hospital, needles, daddy home to see her, back to kindergarten, cat gone. All within a week. No wonder she's screaming a lot. She can go from joyous laughter to shrieking in five seconds flat. It's trauma. I know that. And it's also traumatizing.
When will I sleep? Soon I hope. Right now sleep is something I have to have before I can blog more. My mind is muddy, and what little clarity I do have must be savored and saved for Jenna and my paying clients.
So that's it.
Summer winds down and I wonder if things will ever be any different.
Bet you wish I had just stayed quiet.
Jenna's going through some changes. You know? To be expected. She has every right. But the screaming.... Everything at once for her too: start kindergarten, so sick, hospital, needles, daddy home to see her, back to kindergarten, cat gone. All within a week. No wonder she's screaming a lot. She can go from joyous laughter to shrieking in five seconds flat. It's trauma. I know that. And it's also traumatizing.
When will I sleep? Soon I hope. Right now sleep is something I have to have before I can blog more. My mind is muddy, and what little clarity I do have must be savored and saved for Jenna and my paying clients.
So that's it.
Summer winds down and I wonder if things will ever be any different.
Bet you wish I had just stayed quiet.
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