Apr 4, 2012
Washington Outsider commented on Savage Love Episode 285.
Best chick flick to get over a break up: Silence of the Lambs. All men are evil and most women are badasses taking them out or escaping their evil clutches.
Jan 4, 2011
Washington Outsider commented on Bore Me, Michael Cera.
PR person here - I know, I'll duck the rotten tomatoes.
I empathize. I have a similar rant about mommy bloggers and one client or another at least once a month. Still, I'm not in the celebrity business (thank god) so it's rare for me to field that kind of attention.
I take some issue with a few of your points, but I agree the system is broken. These publicists sound terrible.
That said:
-There are PR people (like, ahem, me) who have never pitched The Stranger because we know we have nothing newsworthy for this audience. You just never get to meet us because we're so darn polite and busy pitching some paper much more suited for our clients.
-Anna Kendrick was probably contractually obligated to publicize the movie way before her part was even filmed/edited.
-Scheduling 30249534523409098 interviews in one day when you have a hotel room reserved for four hours (and 15 minutes of set-up) is not ideal for ANY publicity team.
-Particularly since, as you pointed out, reporters typically ask the same questions to death.
-The bass was undoubtedly there for the one random reporter from Topeka yelling "I need B-roll of something!!"
Related: The other thing is that if the celebrities go off script - I know this is a shocker - many of 'em are kind of doofuses:
http://www.andpop.com/2010/02/11/john-ma…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOhKrL5DB…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_wjp262…
Sadly, it's just safer to give them a script (and many people feel more comfortable with one - they're actors, after all).
tl;dr Our job is to help you get the best story you can. Sucks that didn't work with these guys - please don't paint all of us with the same brush.
More...
I empathize. I have a similar rant about mommy bloggers and one client or another at least once a month. Still, I'm not in the celebrity business (thank god) so it's rare for me to field that kind of attention.
I take some issue with a few of your points, but I agree the system is broken. These publicists sound terrible.
That said:
-There are PR people (like, ahem, me) who have never pitched The Stranger because we know we have nothing newsworthy for this audience. You just never get to meet us because we're so darn polite and busy pitching some paper much more suited for our clients.
-Anna Kendrick was probably contractually obligated to publicize the movie way before her part was even filmed/edited.
-Scheduling 30249534523409098 interviews in one day when you have a hotel room reserved for four hours (and 15 minutes of set-up) is not ideal for ANY publicity team.
-Particularly since, as you pointed out, reporters typically ask the same questions to death.
-The bass was undoubtedly there for the one random reporter from Topeka yelling "I need B-roll of something!!"
Related: The other thing is that if the celebrities go off script - I know this is a shocker - many of 'em are kind of doofuses:
http://www.andpop.com/2010/02/11/john-ma…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOhKrL5DB…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_wjp262…
Sadly, it's just safer to give them a script (and many people feel more comfortable with one - they're actors, after all).
tl;dr Our job is to help you get the best story you can. Sucks that didn't work with these guys - please don't paint all of us with the same brush.
Nov 23, 2010
Washington Outsider commented on Hey, Gamers....
I'd join if I hadn't quit cold turkey. That stuff will rot your social life.
Still, I'm tempted:
Tech savvy at risk youth?
Still, I'm tempted:
Tech savvy at risk youth?
Mar 10, 2010
Washington Outsider commented on Too Early For Interior Design? Currently Hanging: Cremaster of the Universe.
Waiting for Loveschild's reaction...
Dec 21, 2009
Washington Outsider commented on Youth Pastor Watch: It's Important For a Married Couple To Share Common Interests.
Can I just mention that I was very hesitant to click on the last link in this post? I know the sentence didn't intend to imply that there was a link to the photos, but still... I try to avoid child pornography if I can.
Nov 17, 2009
Washington Outsider commented on Feeling Sorry for Carrie Prejean.
Regarding the sexism argument:
Is it sexism to pity a woman for their naivete when they're publicly ridiculed? Most of us had the same reaction to Monica Lewinsky; we ridiculed her and pitied her at the same time. Or Anna Nicole Smith (nod to you, @ScrewYouRusty). I know lots of people who pity Sarah Palin for "getting in over her head" - she clearly didn't anticipate the negative consequences of anything she said.
We don't seem to have the same reaction to Levi - and isn't he doing the exact same thing to his future as Carrie Prejean? Did we ever feel sorry for Joe the Plumber after he jumped in the spotlight at the first opportunity? Is it because we think male idiots will be able to recover without the same stigma, or because we give them more responsibility for being public jackasses in the first place?
I don't have any answers, would love responses. And, for the record, this is said by someone who would absolutely, absolutely love a Palin/Prejean ticket in 2012. It would be the most hilarious election cycle ever. My philosophy is that if you're gonna be dumb, you've gotta be tough.
More...
Is it sexism to pity a woman for their naivete when they're publicly ridiculed? Most of us had the same reaction to Monica Lewinsky; we ridiculed her and pitied her at the same time. Or Anna Nicole Smith (nod to you, @ScrewYouRusty). I know lots of people who pity Sarah Palin for "getting in over her head" - she clearly didn't anticipate the negative consequences of anything she said.
We don't seem to have the same reaction to Levi - and isn't he doing the exact same thing to his future as Carrie Prejean? Did we ever feel sorry for Joe the Plumber after he jumped in the spotlight at the first opportunity? Is it because we think male idiots will be able to recover without the same stigma, or because we give them more responsibility for being public jackasses in the first place?
I don't have any answers, would love responses. And, for the record, this is said by someone who would absolutely, absolutely love a Palin/Prejean ticket in 2012. It would be the most hilarious election cycle ever. My philosophy is that if you're gonna be dumb, you've gotta be tough.
Sep 4, 2009
Washington Outsider commented on Re: Whose Beard Is Better?.
I'm kind of happy Grant got second place - I prefer men with their spirits already broken.
Jul 7, 2009
Washington Outsider commented on Today in New Zealand Advertisements.
I miss New Zealand.
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