When Doing PR For Anti-Spam Firm... Don't Spam

netbuzz writes "Rule #1 when doing PR for an antispam vendor: Don't spam. This isn't exactly brain surgery, yet the fellow at a PR agency called Rocket Science managed to violate Rule #1 while attempting to drum up publicity for Singlefin, which provides e-mail, IM and Web filtering services to the likes of Juno and NetZero. He also violated Rules #2 and #3." Given the hundreds of press releases I get in my inbox on a weekly basis, PR folks in general need to learn that lesson regardless of their clients.

Funny someone notices this PR

[ackthpt]

I just slam-dunk this all into the bit bin and hit empty.

I'm particularly amused by sp4m which includes [%TO_ADDRESS]

Re:fr0st pist? - nt - DOTA RULEZ!

[Intron]

Parent seems to be on topic -- its spam!

Hello [RecipientFirstName],

[OakDragon]

Tired of getting mail like this? If so, please visit [WebsiteURL] and try a 30 day free trial of [CompanyProduct]!

To be removed from our list, please send your credit card number to [AdminEmail]

Rocket Science?! Oh, the ironing is delicious...

Who needs fiction?

[GundamFan]

That's great... now the queston is; if you are already a customer would the product block this mail and if so is that blackmail?

Re:Hello [RecipientFirstName],

[SnowDeath]

"Oh, the ironing is delicious..."

Got Starch?

Second Rule?

[mobby_6kl]

Is the second rule "you DO NOT talk about spam"?
I don't see how that would work considering they need to advertise an anti-spam product.

Re:Perfect Marketing

[2names]

So by that rationale, if I am a personal injury attorney I should start ramming my car into random vehicles?

Re:Perfect Marketing

[andrewman327]

"So by that rationale, if I am a personal injury attorney I should start ramming my car into random vehicles?"

If you are a personal injury lawyer, please drive said car off of a cliff.

spam and no spam

[chrisranjana.com]

Yes these are cruel times indeed :) A non spam company needs spam to survive ! HOw ironic !

Re:Perfect Marketing

[jeffmeden]

More appropriately, you should advertise by putting your bumper sticker on the backs of cars whose brakes you have rigged to randomly lock up while at high speed. Hmm, i should have gone into marketing!

Keep the Rocket Science jokes coming

[hellfire]

I've got a counter of how many times someone says the following:

"Geez, how could this guy fuck up a PR email? It isn't Rocket Science."

Maybe we can get to 50 by lunch.

Re:Screw ups

[mooingyak]

5. linvir got on /. and flamed everyone, showing what a big sexy stud he is

Seriously.

Try and tell me with a straight face that you don't want to do him RIGHT NOW.

bad PR

[dR.fuZZo]

I'd think one of the most important things for a PR firm to do would be to understand who it is they're representing, and what ideals and values the company wants to represent. I mean, come on, this isn't exactly... oh. Nevermind.

Re:Perfect Marketing

[Anonymous Coward]

Because our product blocks all mail coming from our address. It won't do anything for the rest of your spam problem, though.

Re:bad PR

[BCW2]

Remember, most PR folks have degrees in marketing. I started to get a marketing degree myself, then I realized I wasn't qualified, I have a conscience!
  Marketing - the art of persuading as many people as possible to pay way to much for things they don't need! Normally done by a dumbass (in this case for sure) to a thundering herd of dumbass.

By the way Gates is a marketing genius.

Bricks Through Your Window?

[twbell]

Remember the Far Side cartoon where the fellow picks up a brick that has been chucked into his front room with the message: "Bricks through your window? Call Al's Glass...."?