Though unintentional, I quickly realized that I struck a raw nerve with a fellow PR practitioner that resulted in a 10-round debate match on Facebook.
(Full disclosure - this person and I have a history where she called my business at a PRSA San Diego event in early 2007 “unethical” and “the equivalent of a used car salesman”).
The most interesting part of all this is how many folks chimed in to support my Pay-on-Performance model. What’s more, it occurred in many forms, from postings on Facebook and blog entries on Twitter to direct e-mails, phone calls and in person discussions. Turns out, unbeknownst to my Old School opponent, she did me a HUGE favor - her unrelenting rants prominently highlighted how competing PR firms are afraid and, dare I say, angry about how Stalwart Communications is shaking up the PR agency industry. Her 30-minute shouting exchange with me increased my agency’s top-of-mind share, and reinforced our value proposition of how we put our money where our mouth is to delivering positive PR results.
And for that, I’m adding my esteemed colleague to my Christmas Card list. She earned it!!