Comments on: We’re Saying Goodbye to the Inconsiderate and Rude Prospects http://sawmillmarketing.com/were-saying-goodbye-to-the-inconsiderate-and-rude-prospects/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=were-saying-goodbye-to-the-inconsiderate-and-rude-prospects Social Media, Media Relations, Media Training, Crisis Communications Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:51:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Davis http://sawmillmarketing.com/were-saying-goodbye-to-the-inconsiderate-and-rude-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4288 Jeff Davis Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:43:13 +0000 http://sawmillmarketing.com/?p=2306#comment-4288 Thanks for commenting, Marjorie. All we're asking for is an answer. A returned phone call or a simple response to an email. Even if it's a "no." Sad if that's too much to ask after all that goes in to a PR proposal. Thanks for commenting, Marjorie. All we’re asking for is an answer. A returned phone call or a simple response to an email. Even if it’s a “no.” Sad if that’s too much to ask after all that goes in to a PR proposal.

]]> By: Marjorie Valin http://sawmillmarketing.com/were-saying-goodbye-to-the-inconsiderate-and-rude-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4287 Marjorie Valin Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:46:26 +0000 http://sawmillmarketing.com/?p=2306#comment-4287 Susan, thank you for speaking up on behalf of every PR and advertising agency. Outrageous demands to create complex marketing plans, strategies and spec creative under the guise of a proposal--without compensation. And many times, without the decency to inform the agency whether they were selected or not until we called. Recently we received an RFP from a membership association in DC to create the theme and campaign for their annual convention. After scrambling to meet their deadline, we heard nothing, emailed and called several times, then was informed by email that they are remaining with their existing agency, despite "outstanding work and outstanding pricing". This leads us to believe that we were invited to bid under false pretenses, i.e. the board required periodic competitive bids or they were seeking leverage to force their current agency to lower its fees. Unfortunately we, as an industry, must own some of the blame, as we allow these practices to continue. I can't imagine law firms or CPAs agreeing to present a defense strategy or tax recommendations before they are hired. Unfortunately, few, if any agencies, can afford to stand on principle, as someone else is always willing to forego theirs. Susan, thank you for speaking up on behalf of every PR and advertising agency. Outrageous demands to create complex marketing plans, strategies and spec creative under the guise of a proposal–without compensation. And many times, without the decency to inform the agency whether they were selected or not until we called.

Recently we received an RFP from a membership association in DC to create the theme and campaign for their annual convention. After scrambling to meet their deadline, we heard nothing, emailed and called several times, then was informed by email that they are remaining with their existing agency, despite “outstanding work and outstanding pricing”. This leads us to believe that we were invited to bid under false pretenses, i.e. the board required periodic competitive bids or they were seeking leverage to force their current agency to lower its fees.

Unfortunately we, as an industry, must own some of the blame, as we allow these practices to continue. I can’t imagine law firms or CPAs agreeing to present a defense strategy or tax recommendations before they are hired. Unfortunately, few, if any agencies, can afford to stand on principle, as someone else is always willing to forego theirs.

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