brian d foy just wanted to review some new software

...so I wrote to the company's marketing address asking them for an evaluation license. It's one of the perks of writing about software. I get an email back asking for more information about me, and the marketing person wants to set up a meeting with the CEO so I can ask questions.

But after a frustrating and pointless conversation with the PR person:

Then I realize that she really knows nothing, and that she probably doesn't even work for the company. She says "we" in an odd, insincere way. She's an outsourced public relations person. I've dealt with this situation a lot. She probably runs her own boutique public relations shop, so at the same time that she's supposed to be selling the product to me, she's trying to retain her position of authority as the owner of a company.

And the rousing finale:

Eventually I just hang up on her. For a couple minutes I ponder if I should hate this company too, and that's not what a real public relations person wants anyone to think after a meeting.

Now, I realise that the episode was just PR done badly and one should not judge the entire industry by it. The incident does highlight that the industry uses standard practices that inevitably leads to a gaping void between the company's 'message' and its hired messangers and its audience and customers. So, as Steve Rubel sums it up:

Another day, another victim.

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