Comments on: “Don’t Look At Me!” – Twitter and “off the record” http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/ William felt predisposed to liking Vimes, if only because of the types of enemies he made, but as far as he could see everything about the man could be prefaced by the word "badly," as in "-spoken," "-educated," and "-in need of a drink" - Terry Pratchett "The Truth" Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:15:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: The Future of PR Firms? « Net News 54 http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-496 The Future of PR Firms? « Net News 54 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:13:52 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-496 [...] media” despite the shrinking newshole, but savvy PR firms will shift their focus. In my previous post I talked about PR professionals (working for organizations, I don’t think I made that clear) [...] [...] media” despite the shrinking newshole, but savvy PR firms will shift their focus. In my previous post I talked about PR professionals (working for organizations, I don’t think I made that clear) [...]

]]> By: Benson http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-494 Benson Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:49:26 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-494 Hi John! I understand that this wasn't a real argument, but I was also carrying over what Mark B. had said on his piece. Mr. Farrauto doesn't seem like the type to say stuff to get himself in trouble, but this does open up a discussion I've had before in the PR community. People still think that Twitter is a discussion between themselves and their online friends, and that has gotten a few PR peeps and firms in trouble with clients (I've touched on it in other posts). It's really easy to forget that even though we only talk with a few people on Twitter at a time, a lot of people, especially popular people, have thousands of additional followers that these messages still go to. And this discussion brought up the question of who gets to dictate what is or isn't on the record. If something is given in confidence as "Off the record" and the reporter agrees to it, then it's cool. If a third party "overhears" the comment - which happens with all of those followers on Twitter - then there can't be any expectation of confidence. Hi John!

I understand that this wasn’t a real argument, but I was also carrying over what Mark B. had said on his piece. Mr. Farrauto doesn’t seem like the type to say stuff to get himself in trouble, but this does open up a discussion I’ve had before in the PR community. People still think that Twitter is a discussion between themselves and their online friends, and that has gotten a few PR peeps and firms in trouble with clients (I’ve touched on it in other posts).

It’s really easy to forget that even though we only talk with a few people on Twitter at a time, a lot of people, especially popular people, have thousands of additional followers that these messages still go to.

And this discussion brought up the question of who gets to dictate what is or isn’t on the record. If something is given in confidence as “Off the record” and the reporter agrees to it, then it’s cool. If a third party “overhears” the comment – which happens with all of those followers on Twitter – then there can’t be any expectation of confidence.

]]> By: John Fleck http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-493 John Fleck Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:29:21 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-493 I was one of the reporters involved in the twit-chatting, and I was totally joking around. I wouldn't have characterized what Matt was doing as "arguing" with us. He's not saying anything on twitter that's going to get him in trouble. We all know enough not to do that. Well, except maybe that bit about stealing olives off the plate of the guy sitting next to him at the pizza joint. That was pretty outrageous. Maybe I'll write a story about *that*. I was one of the reporters involved in the twit-chatting, and I was totally joking around. I wouldn’t have characterized what Matt was doing as “arguing” with us. He’s not saying anything on twitter that’s going to get him in trouble. We all know enough not to do that. Well, except maybe that bit about stealing olives off the plate of the guy sitting next to him at the pizza joint. That was pretty outrageous. Maybe I’ll write a story about *that*.

]]> By: Benson http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-487 Benson Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:37:53 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-487 Hi Sari! Yeah, the old media view is that the media sat on high and gave the stories to the public, with little chance for real participation (short of letters to the editor that ran days later). I'm wondering if there will be some kind of merging of individual social media and brands in the near future. We kind of see it in PR already, where one person can be said to be speaking not only for themselves but possibly for the organization as an extension, especially when there's a problem between client and PR firm (I touched on it before where one guy's misinterpreted tweet got his firm in trouble with a big client). B P.S. what's my deadline on that UNM Today story? I might need an extension. ;) Hi Sari!

Yeah, the old media view is that the media sat on high and gave the stories to the public, with little chance for real participation (short of letters to the editor that ran days later).

I’m wondering if there will be some kind of merging of individual social media and brands in the near future. We kind of see it in PR already, where one person can be said to be speaking not only for themselves but possibly for the organization as an extension, especially when there’s a problem between client and PR firm (I touched on it before where one guy’s misinterpreted tweet got his firm in trouble with a big client).

B

P.S. what’s my deadline on that UNM Today story? I might need an extension. ;)

]]> By: Sari http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-486 Sari Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:47:12 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-486 The point about "talking points" vs. "conversation starters" is interesting, too. I suppose the thing that's really changing under the influence of social media is a shift away from public media being dominated by one-way communication. Which comes with the problem of balancing the attention to individuals social media demands with maintaining a unified image/brand. The point about “talking points” vs. “conversation starters” is interesting, too. I suppose the thing that’s really changing under the influence of social media is a shift away from public media being dominated by one-way communication. Which comes with the problem of balancing the attention to individuals social media demands with maintaining a unified image/brand.

]]> By: Sari http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-485 Sari Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:41:34 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-485 I'll second all on social media being not fundamentally different from RL social interactions - with the exception that without body language, choosing words carefully gains a bit more importance. Even putting aside this business of expecting published statements to be private, I think it's unreasonable to expect anything one says or does to be private. I mean, I wouldn't want the government sticking hidden cameras in my bedroom, but I don't expect my partner, friends, etc. to never repeat anything I say or do. Not that my friends are in the habit of inappropriately repeating personal information, but once I put it out there, I know there's no certainty about where it will end up. So to add to mother's advice: If you can't take responsibility for it, don't do it. I’ll second all on social media being not fundamentally different from RL social interactions – with the exception that without body language, choosing words carefully gains a bit more importance.

Even putting aside this business of expecting published statements to be private, I think it’s unreasonable to expect anything one says or does to be private. I mean, I wouldn’t want the government sticking hidden cameras in my bedroom, but I don’t expect my partner, friends, etc. to never repeat anything I say or do. Not that my friends are in the habit of inappropriately repeating personal information, but once I put it out there, I know there’s no certainty about where it will end up.

So to add to mother’s advice: If you can’t take responsibility for it, don’t do it.

]]> By: Benson http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-483 Benson Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:26:02 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-483 No I haven't! I'll have to try it out. I tried Three Philosophers out based on your video recommendation and really like it! No I haven’t! I’ll have to try it out. I tried Three Philosophers out based on your video recommendation and really like it!

]]> By: The Grand Panjandrum http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-482 The Grand Panjandrum Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:00:07 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-482 Ever had Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA? I highly recommend it. Ever had Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA? I highly recommend it.

]]> By: Benson http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-481 Benson Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:28:02 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-481 @Will and @Vassaad, you're absolutely right. The technology has changed, but the basic rules are the same. @Will and @Vassaad, you’re absolutely right. The technology has changed, but the basic rules are the same.

]]> By: Will Reichard http://bensonhendrix.com/2009/06/29/%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-look-at-me%e2%80%9d-twitter-and-%e2%80%9coff-the-record%e2%80%9d/#comment-480 Will Reichard Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:13:13 +0000 http://netnews54.com/?p=526#comment-480 Vassaad's right--one of the first rules of PR: never talk off the record. You're just setting yourself up. Vassaad’s right–one of the first rules of PR: never talk off the record. You’re just setting yourself up.

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