Edited to add: This afternoon I spoke with Lori Dolginoff, Director of Communications for Johnson's. See the end of this post.
Yesterday I blogged about how I was disinvited from Johnson's Baby Camp because I couldn't commit to being there the entire time. Even though I was traveling to the east coast for BlogHer anyway (on my own dime), and even though they approached me all apologetic-like because I hadn't been invited, and even though I was told to hurry and RSVP as spaces were filling up, I was told I wouldn't be participating.
Let this be (another) lesson to PR people: This is (another) perfect example of how not to deal with bloggers. When I Twittered that I had been disinvited, then posted about it, I had commenters flocking to my post to see what was up. I also had about 15 new PR people requesting to follow me on Twitter (since my tweets are locked) inside of 30 minutes. J&J via their PR agency had the misfortune to bungle this opportunity with someone who is passionate about educating PR people on how they "get it wrong," and how they can "get it right." And like I said in my previous post, I will be talking about this at BlogHer business (especially from the "minority blogger" angle), and I know I'm not the only one.
Why do I do it? I do it for ALL the mommy bloggers. If PR people learn how to do this right, it benefits all of us. In other words, it's so not about me. I hope that is abundantly clear.
So here's how it all went down:
It all started when my good friend Jill Asher, founder of the Silicon Valley Moms Blog called me to see if I was going to Baby Camp. I told her I hadn't been invited. (See J&J? We bloggers go to conventions and meet-ups and stuff where we meet each other and become...FRIENDS. Friends who talk about stuff. Like blogger meet-ups.)
Jill told me that J&J had extended invitations to the SVMoms and their network of bloggers and since I occasionally contribute to SV Moms, she asked if I would attend if invited. I said, "Sure."
Next thing I know, this email hits my in-box.
MARCH 13 (first email)
from redacted <redacted@rfbinder.com>
to Stefania
date Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 4:33 PM
subject Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by rfbinder.com
Hello Stefania,
Jill Asher informed me that you have not received your invitation to Johnson's Camp Baby. I apologize, and wanted to inform you that you will receive it tomorrow morning and if interested, you can register directly from it.
I hope you're able to join us.
Take Care,
redacted
MARCH 13 (second email from DIFFERENT PERSON at DIFFERENT PR AGENCY)
|
||||
Hello Stephania - though I’ve reached
out a few times, we’ve not officially “met”. I’m
writing because I just got pulled into this project that Johnson’s Baby
is doing for bloggers – it’s called Baby Camp.
Basically,
it’s a press trip to discuss all things baby and its taking place on April 2 - 4, 2008 in New Jersey. I’m attaching
info along with an agenda so you can see what it all entails. Would love
to know if you’d like to come (know it’s short notice but I just
found out about it) – Johnson’s is covering the costs of travel/accommodation
(the entire trip) so there is no cost to you.
Let me know if you’d be interested in attending and if you have any questions.
Best,
redacted
and I respond to the above right away:
Id love to talk to you more about this. I have some logistical issues since I will also be speaking at blogher biz (on the topic of pr-blogger outreach). Can I call you tomorrow? If so what time? Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
and she responds:
Hi - I'm pretty much around all day tomorrow except for a 2pm EST call.
My number is 908.xxx.xxxx office.
Thanks.
redacted
I never hear from her again. In the mean time...
MARCH 14 (second invitation sent by another DIFFERENT PR person--received this invitation twice)
from Johnson & Johnson <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to redacted@rfbinder.com,
to Stefania
date Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 11:45 AM
subject Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
Dear Stefania,
JOHNSON'S® Invites You to the First Ever
Camp Baby!...
MARCH 14 (Since I hadn't RSVP'd they asked me to hurry up and respond!)
from Johnson & Johnson <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to redacted@rfbinder.com,
to Stefania
date Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 1:41 PM
subject Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
Greetings Stefania,
I hope this note finds you well! Due to overwhelming response, I am excited to report that Johnson's Camp Baby is almost full! There are only a few spots left, and I would love for you to be one of our guests. Please RSVP as soon as is convenient. I apologize, but after we reach maximum capacity, we will no longer be able to accept any more RSVPs for this year's Johnson's Camp Baby. Thank you and I very much look forward to seeing you at Camp Baby!
All the Best,
Johnson's Camp Baby
Yes, I want to attend
No, I cannot attend
:: :: ::
Let me just stop for a second and say that at this point I'm thinking, "Wow! All these emails...They must really want me there."
Also at this point I am wondering how I am going to arrange for two extra days of childcare and how I am going to convince my husband to maybe take a day off of work because we can't afford to pay a sitter for the extra childcare, but how is my husband going to take a day off of work since he just started a new job two weeks ago and doesn't have any accrued vacation time yet?
How was I going to coordinate this nightmare so I could go get pampered (all the while worrying about my kids, no doubt). I finally got to the point where I decided we'd just make it work. So I RSVP'd that I would attend.
MARCH 14 (attendance confirmation)
from redacted <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to redacted@rfbinder.com,
to Stefania
date Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:24 PM
subject Registration Confirmation: Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by customers.seeuthere.com
Reply
Images are not displayed.
Display images below - Always display images from redacted@rfbinder.com
Thank you for registering. Here are the details:
Confirmation code:
To review this registration click here: https://www.seeuthere.com/editreg/m2faf095-546369114214
User information:
First Name Stefania Last Name Pomponi Butler
Business Email Address Business Phone
Event details:
Name Johnson's Camp Baby
Location
Location map View map
MARCH 14 (clarifying travel details)
from Stefania
to redacted@rfbinder.com,
date Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:25 PM
subject Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by gmail.com
Reply
Hi there,
I have just rsvp'd yes. I have to work out the travel details as I will also be attending/speaking at BlogHer business. Can someone please help with that?
--
Sincerely,
S t e f a n i a P o m p o n i B u t l e r
Writer and Blog Editor/Producer
MARCH 14
from redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>
to Stefania
cc redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:29 PM
subject RE: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by rfbinder.com
Hi Stefania,
Thank you for getting in touch. What were your thoughts in terms of scheduling around the conference?
All the Best,
redacted, on behalf of Camp Baby
MARCH 15
from Stefania
to redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 3:53 PM
subject Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by gmail.com
Hi there,
I have already purchased my ticket for the BlogHer conference...I would need travel to J&J on Tuesday to arrive the night before the camp starts. Then I suppose I would need travel back to Manhattan for the BlogHer conference. Is that do-able?
MARCH 15
from Stefania
to redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 3:55 PM
subject Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by gmail.com
Sorry meant to say travel on Wednesday to arrive by 6pm. I can use my own ticket to travel home--i just need a way to get to the J&J camp since I hadn't planned on attending. thanks!
MARCH 17 (I am DISINVITED)
from redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>
to Stefania
date Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 2:43 PM
subject RE: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by rfbinder.com
Hi Stefania,
Thanks so much for getting in touch about Camp Baby! (note: I did NOT contact YOU. YOU contacted me, remember?!) Unfortunately,
we can only accomodate those who registered to arrive and leave within
the parameters of Johnson's Camp Baby. I will be sure to include you
in all future invitations and mailings.
Take care!
Best,
redacted, on behalf of Johnson's Camp Baby.
MARCH 18 (formally CANCELLED)
from redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>
reply-to redacted @rfbinder.com,
to Stefania
date Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 7:06 AM
subject Registration Cancellation: Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by customers.seeuthere.com
Display images below - Always display images from redacted @rfbinder.com
Your registration has been cancelled. Here are the details:
Confirmation code:...
:: :: ::
See you all at BlogHer Business NYC and BlogHer '08!! :-)
:: :: ::
This afternoon Lori Dolginoff emailed me asking to chat, and I called her back right away. She has read this post, your posts, and all the comments. She wants to make this situation right and so we talked at length about how that could be done.
I believe that Johnson's
intentions were good to begin with. They didn't have the
right plans in place to deal with the inevitable contingencies. (Like
what to do with all those pesky nursing mothers, god.) And they clearly didn't understand exactly how tapped into technology and social media we are. They want to
build relationships with mommy bloggers and that's great, but
they need to understand that relationships begin with the very first email a blogger receives from the
company. Best to rethink who is sending those emails.
I gave her my thoughts and advice (and could hear her tapping away on her keyboard in the background). She offered to "do something to make it up to me," and I declined. I had to clarify several times that my issue is not who got invited and who didn't—that's their business. I've been at this long enough to know not to get my panties in a bunch about that stuff. To her credit, she said Johnson's extended invitations to a broad spectrum of bloggers and because space was limited, they selected the bloggers who could come for both days whether they had 10 readers a day or 10,000.
She promised to address this situation at the camp. Let's see what happens. To everyone attending, I hope you
have a great time.
