C=A and Timothy Leary
5 messages in this thread
Ben,
I called CBM to inquire about MindMovies, not Leary specifically. As I
mentioned in a previous message (to someone else, I believe), the software
folks were very helpful.
But, to your comment about it being a stupid, time wasting question – that may
be true, in their eyes. However, they never found out what the question was,
because the "appropriate people" couldn`t be reached for comment. It's
happened before. That in itself isn't necessarily a problem nor does it
indicate that CBM won't answer questions – only that slow – or no – response
makes it difficult to report the companies plans, reactions etc.
One final "however" and I'll drop the subject: Those who complain about fair
and accurate coverage shouldn't complain too loudly when the stories see print
without offsetting comments by a company official. If the company doesn't
comment, then there are no company comments. What CBM or any other organization
sees as a dumb questions, may not seem that way to customers or other concerned
folks.
-Jim
re 100210 Who is to determine what questions are dumb? I say you, the writer,
should. As a reporter, your analysis of the situation is paramount. There are
good reporters and bad reporters. If you assess this Leary thing as news, you
should have good reasons to do so. So far, I and other residents of this Forum
don't think you have grounds for a story. How many stories have you written
based on the offhand opinions of anonymous sources? Are these sources willing
to go public? Are they willing to defend their thoughts?
Jim,
Assume for a moment that you had spoken to a representative of CBM and asked
about MindMovies and/or Mr. Leary. What would you expect the reaction to be?
The company hiring Mr. Leary is not CBM, and as such, they have no control over
whether Leary does things with an Amiga. Again, the issue is not the software
itself, but the proposed boycott of a company who happens to make a machine
that the software runs on. How far would you get with any other company you
approached with such absurdities?
"Good afternoon, Parker Pen PR Department."
"Hello, did you know that Timothy Leary uses a Parker Pen to write his
outlines that encourage deviant behaviour?"
Jim, face it, it's ridiculous.
Regards, Larry.
In general, CBM employees are directed to tell reporters about our PR agency,
Fleishman-Hillard.
This lets the mamagement know the kind of thing that will show up in print.
Calling sales people will rarely do you any good. You have to get up to the
V.P. level at the least for a response, and those guys are usually busy. Maybe
you should try the Joe Rossi approach (I'm gonna print this story about
organizing a CBM boycott because Timothy Leary has seen an Amiga if you don't
call me right back") but even then you have to be calling the right name
(figuring out who is responsible for what in a company like Commodore depends
on knowing info that most reporters have neither the time nor inclination to
learn, at least in my experience, because things change so rapidly)
Fleishman-Hillard are in LA. I can probably find out their phone number if you
need it.
andy
finkel
Thanks, Andy.
I have a PR contact for CBM. I also have the name of the contact within CBM
who is/was working with Dr. Leary. Getting to the latter has been difficult –
too bad, sounds like it might have been an interesting discussion (if the
reaction here was any indication).
Thanks, again. -Jim