Sally Edwards splits from Danskin, starts own races

[eclectic]

I'm thrilled to see that the PR machine is on the case. *ahem*

I realize that your company has likely been sold on the value of monitoring "the social web" for chatter about your brand/products/events, and on the value of countering anything perceived as negative, but a post like that just kind of defeats your whole purpose (especially on a site that is more community than just random chatter). You get a Fail. But, thanks for playing.

/Dex (who has had it up to her ears with marketing BS lately)

A+ on that one dex

/Miss Cynical eclectic when it comes to politically correct, canned statement, marketing propaganda.

BTW so all the "magic" is gone from Danskin tris now - I am sad

In all seriousness I was keeping an open mind about the Trek series and subscribed to their updates.
Note to you Miss Ademetrio, your letter came across like every other big business PR letter and I am less excited about the Trek series because of it.
Community discussion forums are just that - community discussion forums - there is no need to come on and give public disclaimers.

[ademetrio]

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. The reality of my "Big Business PR Letter" is that I work for a PR company that is composed of 8 people - a humble firm who has pride in Maggie and Sally's vision for women athletes. In addition, I haven't been sold on anything - we are given no instruction to "monitor the social web" - I've done so on my own accord to try to get to know the women of Washington in their preparation for TREK. Up until now, it has been quite a pleasant experience.

I resent the notion that what I posted earlier is "marketing propaganda." I believe that eloquence and compelling speech is important, especially in a forum that is centered around women supporting women - and that is why I, alone, composed that post in the hopes of clarifying any confusion you women might have regarding Maggie and Sally. It is a shame that you took my words as corporate babble and not what they were meant to be - the truth about Maggie's intentions.

Good luck with your training and races.

[NbyNW]

can we ease off a little?

I've also worked in PR in the past so I can be just as skeptical as the next person, but perhaps ademetrio really was just trying to address the questions and concerns of the thread.

I don't mind that ademetrio posted, or that she identified herself as PR -- rather, it seems that her post did not provide any new information. Of course all parties involved wish each other well. Of course Maggie and Sally want any series with their names attached to be superb.

There was a lot of nice language in the post, but I didn't feel that the WHY of it was suitably addressed.

[salsabike]

I don't mind that ademetrio posted, or that she identified herself as PR -- rather, it seems that her post did not provide any new information. Of course all parties involved wish each other well. Of course Maggie and Sally want any series with their names attached to be superb.

There was a lot of nice language in the post, but I didn't feel that the WHY of it was suitably addressed.

Yes, exactly.

[eclectic]

Well said Jocelynlf

The post struck me totally wrong and I know it was from corporate PR ghosts lurking in my past from a former place of employment. They always strike me as a bunch of placating empty words.

AND I was in a very crabby mood yesterday and poor ademetrio caught the brunt of it while trying to do her job as she best saw fit.

Her second post was much more honest and real person so i did appreciate that.

I hope, in the end, the results are what they are meant to be, empowering women through the use of triathlons. I just hate to see direct competition between 2 entities vying for the same audience in the same venue. Why don't they at least do different cities?

I wish they would start one in Minneapolis so there would be one w/i a one day drive of Central North America.

[dex]

*shrug* I said what I think.

Given that the post basically said the same things, and in the same tone, that have been floating around on various lists for the past few weeks, I don't see it anything genuine about it.

I work with the people and firms that sell marketing and PR folk on how to engage/infiltrate/manipulate online communities to promote and/or defend their brands. I've done a fair amount of coaching on that myself. So, when I see it happening in such a ham-fisted manner, I call it out.

I still give it a Fail.

[eclectic]

*shrug* I said what I think.

Given that the post basically said the same things, and in the same tone, that have been floating around on various lists for the past few weeks, I don't see it anything genuine about it.

I work with the people and firms that sell marketing and PR folk on how to engage/infiltrate/manipulate online communities to promote and/or defend their brands. I've done a fair amount of coaching on that myself. So, when I see it happening in such a ham-fisted manner, I call it out.

I still give it a Fail.

And that is the beauty of our country we have the right to say that.

I too still give first post an F but second brought it up to a B - I wouldn't want that job. (I probably wouldn't be good at it because I am like you, I say what I think, my mother always tells me tact is NOT my middle name)

[NbyNW]

Well said Jocelynlf

I hope, in the end, the results are what they are meant to be, empowering women through the use of triathlons. I just hate to see direct competition between 2 entities vying for the same audience in the same venue. Why don't they at least do different cities?

I wish they would start one in Minneapolis so there would be one w/i a one day drive of Central North America.

I just figure more triathlons more better. But, hey -- I didn't realize there was such a shortage in the midwest?

Dex, you're right -- ademetrio could have been way sneakier about it.