Addendum: How Not to Name-Drop
fek:
- Do not tell me when pitching or lobbying for something, you’re “a good friend of Jared’s” if you only met him a few times at parties and had nice conversations about the weather. And especially do not tell me that if you’ve never even met him and he has no idea who you are. (You’d be surprised at how frequently this happens.) He has a specific circle of close friends, and it’s true that those people can probably get me on the phone faster than total strangers, but here’s the thing: I know who those people are already. And if I think someone may be in some sort of gray area, I ask. When people make false claims, it’s always good for a laugh on my end (especially when Jared’s response is, “What? Who?”) but it just makes me think you’re a jerk. And a liar.
- By the same token, do not tell one of my reporters that you’re “very good friends” with me, unless you actually are. Because the reporter will ask me. And then we both think you’re a jerk. And a liar.
Really, you’re just better off having an amazingly great story to pitch. In which case, no one here cares who you know or don’t.
Servicey!
Also sort of douchey! Want to know why? It’s simple: there’s a needlessly acidic tone issue here, I think, that could have benefited from a second pass.
And also: everyone in media cares who you do know and who you don’t. Sorry.
I think you may have missed the point. Lying about who you know is annoying and being on the receiving end of this behavior, especially when there is a hint of bullying, as in: I know your boss and if you don’t do what i want right now, the consequences for you will be dire.
No one should be on the receiving end of this. And everyone should know that if you do try it, people will check. And you should check. And a well run business, and Spiers is demonstrating that the one she works for and manages is well run, will have systems in place to prevent this.
The tone is appropriate, it’s the behavior that’s the problem.
It’s intentionally acidic because it’s shitty, needless behavior that should be addressed in a way that’s not solicitous. I didn’t think I actually had to spell out the bullying aspect of it, but if that wasn’t clear, Lily articulated it perfectly.
And since Sheila thinks I need to be told how media does or does not work, let me state the obvious: I work in the industry, too. And maybe some people care, but I certainly don’t. (And if I did, I think it would make me less competent at my job.)
After years of name-dropping, Spiers doesn’t want it done to her. What an incredible act of integrity. I suppose it was only tolerable while she was looking for work for herself. Also, Jared K. is the beneficiary of millions that his crook felon father earned, and did precious little work himself. It’s not far-fetched to think that such a creature would not remember all the people he pretended to know and like.
