Oooh - that's a tricky one. Can you alter the photo slightly and allude to the brand rather than mentioning them outright - so it becomes a 'teaser' rather than an out and out breaking of the embargo? Or would that be just as bad?
zoiks. super tough situation! i know i'm a big, giant scaredy cat, but i kind of couldn't sleep at night if i thought i'd been the cause of a pr company and client falling out all in the name of bloggers and the new world of beauty media. i agree that it's a very old fashioned and outdated way of doing things and that you should be able to use the material in front of you though. so, in short, my very sit-on-the-fence style advice is to do whatever will help you sleep easy at night. when your heart tells you you're doing the right thing it's generally the best direction to follow. good luck!!! xxx
Someone I admire told me a couple of days ago that if something is already on the internet, then it's fair game.
There has, I believe, been lots of talk about this particular launch, dating back to last November - if it's the one from a well-known store that used to have cosmetics about ten years ago, but got rid of them to have bloody *sweets*, instead - but there aren't any actual images and such that I can find ...
The only way clients are going to learn about the value of online media is if the PR company finds the correct way to give them the value of what they have generated. They cannot continue to measure it against print media - currently it is not being professionally quantified.
There will always be certain clients that insist an article in Grazia is all they need - but what they are missing is that an article online is forever - it also increases visibility, search and ranking for the brand.
Anyone who thinks social media is something they might need to consider in the future may as well go and live on the moon - but hey I bet those aliens have a twitter page already!
That is a tough one. Especially when no-one wins overall and it's a shame that a brand doesn't seem to want to embrace the potential buzz they could create on the internet by working with brands.
Now I don't know, but have an inkling which brand/range you might be talking about and if I am right then I am even more surprised that they are being so controlled over the launch.
Is there any scope to perhaps contact someone in house at the company and just have an informal chat to find out what the motivations are behind not working with online in such a way? Might be a chance to let them know what it's like from your perspective as a journalist and how embargos tend to just irk people rather than fuel interest.
That might be a total no-go, but either way go with the gut instinct. It's usually the right one.
although, could something so simple as posting a few images or info could have such a great downfall in the long run? it may break a few good contacts or potential, future clients, or even legal action in some cases..
orr just make a list either side, with reasons for yes and reasons for no, this will help put everything your thinking into perspective - yes i did read this in a trashy magazine but it works!
i'm going to hazard a guess and go for Topshop new beauty line, probably so out there lol
If you don't want to post it, then don't! Yes, blog readers will miss out if you don't, but the brand will lose out more through not engaging with bloggers. Best you can do is lean upon the PR - after all, it's their job to advise the client, and it's the client who'll lose out by excluding a huge audience of potential buyers.
If I thought that my contacts expected me to keep the pictures confidential, I would. I wouldn't want to burn any bridges with people, it is a small world. I agree with the comments that the brand is losing out on potential huge exposure, it's their loss. And yes, they probably should go live on the moon if that's their business model.
I'm sorry but at the end of the day it's only freaking makeup! If it could potentially cost a firm a massive client then why would you risk that??! Yes it's annoying having a cosmetics company try and lord it over internet content etc but it'll come out eventually and frankly, we can wait. Definitely not worth feeling sick over...
Tricky one indeed! But we think it's the PR's responsibility to educate their clients as to the different readership a magazine vs. bloggers has.
They are very much two different types of media so in theory an embargo for print shouldn't really effect whether a blogger can/cannot write something if they choose to, if that makes sense..?
We had a sticky situation a few weeks back but realised that what we posted on www.sensi-chic.com was already in the public domain but even so the PR was very tight lipped and couldn't disclose anything to us until the 1st March... weird!!
A difficult one. I'm not a massive fan of them - it makes sense for a product launch to be kept secret to a point but bot if the information's already available. (Although not all press keep to embargos - The Sun for one, although I'm not sure I'd want to be lumped into that category.)
I wouldn't post it, not because of the PR/client relationship, but because otherwise you're giving good and free publicity to people who aren't helpful back in any way. Surely it would be better to be able to write a big, splashy post about a new product without the guilt factor? If Topshop (I'm assuming) are going to be naive about the impact of bloggers, don't make the job easy for them. Let them see what they're missing out on by not having a blog like yours trumpet about it! productpixie.blogspot.com - let me know what you think, am very new to this! x
I suggest that you keep to the embargo until someone else breaks it. After all, the only party to suffer from you taking that line is the brand launching the new range and they are bringing that upon themselves. If you break the embargo, you risk damaging the PR's career, and who knows, maybe even your own. After all, you aren't solely a blogger. When I was a journalist I was blacklisted (for a rather different reason) by the biggest company in my industry and it made life really difficult for several years.
But as someone else suggested, also call the brand manager at the client and point out that they are being quite ridiculous.
If it is Topshop, it's out there, I just found this, 26 February 2010
From May fashion-forward retailer Top Shop will offer equally fashion-forward make-up.
The retailer unveiled its first make-up collection in London yesterday - a 97-sku line of lipsticks, lipglosses and crayons, foundations and blushes, nail colours and eyeshadows and kohls.
See http://www.cosmeticsinternational.net/ for the rest of the article
As an avid reader of your blog - I have to say that I am very disappointed by your viewpoint in this article.
You seem fully aware that there are a number of people who have invested time and effort on this project, both at the Company and the PR company.
You are also keen to point out that you have the 'power' to 'literally wreck[ing] the PR's entire relationship with their client and the magazine'.
I question why on earth you would want to do that.
Behind every Company are people. People who would have every right to be very upset to see months of work ruined because someone has taken it upon themselves to publish information when it is obvious that it is morally questionable to do so.
Without being over-dramatic, I do take issue with the fact that you seem to relish this 'power' you feel you hold over 'traditional media' whilst trying to balance it with a conscientious afterthought.
You claim to 'feel literally sick' at the idea of publishing the information yet in the next breath you are falling over yourself to reiterate the 'power' you hold as a mere blogger and how 'catastrophic' it would be to release the information.
Perhaps I have this article wrong, perhaps you have no intention of releasing the information early and are simply building buzz for your blog as being a source for exclusive information.
I feel that I would still find your information genuinely fascinating even if it was published after the PR Company had had its 'official' release.
However I do not think I would be comfortable to continue reading and following your blog aware that you would knowingly cause the problems outlined in your article in the name of being first to publish. I am extremely uncomfortable with that notion.
As someone who doesn't have a blog, I don't purport to have a valid or overly informed opinion on your dilemma. Still, if bringing me -the avid reader- exciting and, admittedly, painstakingly sourced news might translate into someone, somewhere losing their job, then, what can I say...I'd rather wait! It's only a layman's opinion, but I just don't think it's worth it. Nina
The Amateur Kit: everyone has a voice on my blog and I am grateful for all comments, but I haven't talked anywhere about power - my stats are openly available for anyone to see and you'll have to judge for yourself if it is a worthwhile audience in numbers. I don't care particularly about stats but know I'm lucky to have the numbers I do. And my points are a) I don't want to see a showdown with magazines and blogs at all, and b) trying to highlight from the PR's point of view, and c) I don't like manipulation. You are right...I don't want the PR to lose their client - I have put personal and ethical issues above the need to show the picture and am happy now that is the right thing to do. But I am also trying to help beauty blogs be seen as a continuing and valid source of beauty information and by that I don't just mean my own. As for 'relishing power' - I take huge exception to your misinterpretation. It is nothing about personal power and everything about the advancement of a new medium for women to discover more about beauty.
You wrote that you "feel literally sick" about probably causing harm to the PR's relationship w/ client/magazine. I'd say if something makes you feel sick, you shouldn't do it. Also, you're not withholding information for good, till the end of time, you know? The information will come out... it's not like you have to cover something up or lie about it. I'd say you're still in line with your responsibility to your blog and readers. And (as far as I know ;) there isn't a competition for toughest beauty blogger... just in your head maybe?
Thank you for your reply clarifying some of the points that I raised.
I still feel it is an undue grandeur to justify releasing this information under the guise that it aids the 'advancement of a new medium'.
I would appreciate your thoughts as to what advancement you feel would result from releasing this information prior to the press release.
I personally feel that the release of information like this would have the opposite effect on the 'advancement'. Companies and PR companies are only starting to reach out to bloggers in the last few years, it wouldn't take much for Companies to stipulate that their PR companies are not to engage in such activities and we're set back by a long stroke.
I am /assuming/ that your information is straight up product details and official photographs, and not a review from someone that has tested the product.
The latter is why I read blogs written by 'real people' because I want to know how the product works, not what it looks like on a model after being 'Shopped within an inch of its life (although of course I do not mean to imply that this is the sole reason people read blogs, I am certain that breaking news is important to a portion of your followers).
You yourself comment that you do not want to see a showdown between magazines and blogs, but even considering what you are (were?) considering doing, surely you can appreciate that someone working in the industry or indeed for the Company / PR company that you are referring to, would take umbrance to you posting something that you knew you shouldn't really be posting.
I appreciate that you feel that you have a modest following and therefore little of the 'power' that I referred to in my previous reply, but I wonder what the implications are for the relationship between the Industry and blogging as a whole if several blogs with similar readerships decided to publish information like this.
I again mean no disrespect, clearly we have fairly polar views but I am genuinely interested in the thinking behind your views.
Ok, yes indeed I do see how there can be an effect on a personal level and ultimately that's why I've left it alone. Incidentally the visual I have is from the web, but in the interests of protecting the brand identity I can't say where. By Monday thousands of beauty insiders will have seen it where it resides at the moment. If you look at it the other way, the magazines have actually put the pressure on by insisting on having exclusivity themselves (if indeed that is what has happened) and have created this issue. People have to get used to the idea that being able to control how, where and when others sell your product for you is over - the internet in general..never mind just blogs - have made it nigh on impossible to keep information tamped down. Ultimately, it is the consumer who is being dictated to by beauty brands on mass targeting campaigns..I genuinely feel it is time someone (collectively, not just me) called the shots a little differently. Brands and agencies have called the shots for just about ever in campaigns that influence our purchasing ..is there to be no questioning of that? I have lots of questions and I'm going to keep on questioning everything about the beauty industry.
I know you don't mean any disrespect and all debate and opinion is welcome: I never censor comments (other than spam).
I'd say the best way to deal with this dilemma (like all dilemmas) is just to put yourself in the other person's shoes. You'll always get the right answer.
Imagine this brand had decided very excitingly to launch their product exclusively to beauty bloggers, and embargo it for magazines. Would your moral concerns still work the other way, and to avoid hypocrisy you'd refuse to be involved unless the playing field was levelled to include magazines too?
Alternatively, if your beauty blog became so successful you launched your own cosmetic range with a set date you were working hard towards, and a magazine published the info early (even if found on the internet), would you agree they'd done the right thing?
Depending on whether you agree (or disagree) in your heart with those scenarios, you have your answer. Hopefully there's no motivation whatsoever coming from a feeling of power over someone else's fortunes, as that's obviously never a good reason to cause upset and distress.
Other good ways to solve dilemmas are:
What's the worst that could happen if I do or don't do this?
Can I be proud of myself if I do this?
Am I making the world a happier place if I do this?
I've said it before; if the information is already out there somewhere on the internet, then embargos are pointless and just divisive.
Whatever it is, it *will* be featured in other blogs if they come across it, probably without hesitation. I can understand holding back your nib though, as you work within the industry. Therein lies the rub; you have excellent insider info, but you also know the people involved as a beauty industry professional. And now I've pretty much just repeated what you wrote originally!
Also, if it is Topshop, I've already read about it in their LfW in store magazine. I might have even blogged about it myself before the official release date, as I didn't know it was embargoed. Although, I'm not sure it is Topshop, cause they have their own in-house press office.
Some very interesting comments - clearly your blog has great followers. Speaking as a magazine with a blog, I really hope we're not in a 'them and us' situation. At ELLE we respect lots of blog writers - and get them to write for us, too! Having said that, I also believe that there is still value to magazines in having an exclusive and if something is widely available online, the exclusive loses that worth. As others have said, I guess it's really up to the brand as to what they think will work best for them. I'm sure in some cases that will involve going with online media first and in others magazines. Whatever happens, I think it's great that we have all these different mediums to work with and people that want to read them!
I know I'm late to the party and you have made your decision but... whatever, here's my tuppence-worth.
I would respect the PR. I had a situation a few months ago where I published a story following a fashion press day. The story was just something little (or so I thought) but got picked up by a few websites and a foreign paper. The PR got in touch with me (for those who don't know, I'm an anony-blogger) and asked for my help, saying that the story had been promised to someone as an exclusive and I had caused some awkwardness between the PR and the client.
The PR didn't know my ID but I felt terrible! And they were so nice about it. So I decided to take the post down out of respect for them. Yes, PRs need to recognise that things are changing but while you are still a trad journalist, you really don't want to burn bridges because you're fighting a cause for bloggers.
Anyway, if it is Topshop, that news has been known for a while - although I think your point is that you actually have a picture.
If PR's didn't send you information on new products then your blog would be behind everyone else (and im sure there are hundreds) which would then result in a much smaller number of people visiting your blog. Essentially then if you are writing it for people to read then they wouldn't be any longer. In ranting as you have done are you not risking the wrath of all PR's every sending you anything which is time sensitive? Embargoed materials are sent out all the time - if you don't like it find a new hobby where they dont exist!
I think what I try and do is give an all round view of some of the issues that come up with the simple past-time of writing a blog. And I do try and give it a personality stamp and if that means saying what's on my mind so be it. Nobody is forced to read my blog. Embargoes are purely so that brands can control how and when we sell their products for them.
You guys are forgetting that within a large business, years of sales forecasts are built up because of planned links with editorials and the reason they may not have released it to bloggers is precisely because its not out til May! Magazines work a few months in advance so they need to be able to plan that information. Posting it on a blog the same day means that Topshop staff are going to inundated with a hundred questions a day from teenage girls wanting to know "is it out yet?" like children on the backseat of a car journey.
Sometimes I think we need to respect the flow of information in regards to business planning. If a blog champions a nail polish or an eyeshadow without the brand knowing, adequate supplies are not going to be ordered and then the customer is going to leave unhappy and empty handed. Not good for all parties.
BTW, I saw the prototypes for the Topshop range a few weeks ago and its looking great!
30 comments:
Oooh - that's a tricky one. Can you alter the photo slightly and allude to the brand rather than mentioning them outright - so it becomes a 'teaser' rather than an out and out breaking of the embargo? Or would that be just as bad?
zoiks. super tough situation! i know i'm a big, giant scaredy cat, but i kind of couldn't sleep at night if i thought i'd been the cause of a pr company and client falling out all in the name of bloggers and the new world of beauty media. i agree that it's a very old fashioned and outdated way of doing things and that you should be able to use the material in front of you though. so, in short, my very sit-on-the-fence style advice is to do whatever will help you sleep easy at night. when your heart tells you you're doing the right thing it's generally the best direction to follow. good luck!!! xxx
Someone I admire told me a couple of days ago that if something is already on the internet, then it's fair game.
There has, I believe, been lots of talk about this particular launch, dating back to last November - if it's the one from a well-known store that used to have cosmetics about ten years ago, but got rid of them to have bloody *sweets*, instead - but there aren't any actual images and such that I can find ...
So I would say it's not fair game, yet. Maybe.
The only way clients are going to learn about the value of online media is if the PR company finds the correct way to give them the value of what they have generated. They cannot continue to measure it against print media - currently it is not being professionally quantified.
There will always be certain clients that insist an article in Grazia is all they need - but what they are missing is that an article online is forever - it also increases visibility, search and ranking for the brand.
Anyone who thinks social media is something they might need to consider in the future may as well go and live on the moon - but hey I bet those aliens have a twitter page already!
That is a tough one. Especially when no-one wins overall and it's a shame that a brand doesn't seem to want to embrace the potential buzz they could create on the internet by working with brands.
Now I don't know, but have an inkling which brand/range you might be talking about and if I am right then I am even more surprised that they are being so controlled over the launch.
Is there any scope to perhaps contact someone in house at the company and just have an informal chat to find out what the motivations are behind not working with online in such a way? Might be a chance to let them know what it's like from your perspective as a journalist and how embargos tend to just irk people rather than fuel interest.
That might be a total no-go, but either way go with the gut instinct. It's usually the right one.
i would go with your gut feeling.
although, could something so simple as posting a few images or info could have such a great downfall in the long run? it may break a few good contacts or potential, future clients, or even legal action in some cases..
orr just make a list either side, with reasons for yes and reasons for no, this will help put everything your thinking into perspective - yes i did read this in a trashy magazine but it works!
i'm going to hazard a guess and go for Topshop new beauty line, probably so out there lol
xxx
If you don't want to post it, then don't! Yes, blog readers will miss out if you don't, but the brand will lose out more through not engaging with bloggers. Best you can do is lean upon the PR - after all, it's their job to advise the client, and it's the client who'll lose out by excluding a huge audience of potential buyers.
If I thought that my contacts expected me to keep the pictures confidential, I would. I wouldn't want to burn any bridges with people, it is a small world. I agree with the comments that the brand is losing out on potential huge exposure, it's their loss. And yes, they probably should go live on the moon if that's their business model.
I'm sorry but at the end of the day it's only freaking makeup! If it could potentially cost a firm a massive client then why would you risk that??! Yes it's annoying having a cosmetics company try and lord it over internet content etc but it'll come out eventually and frankly, we can wait. Definitely not worth feeling sick over...
I am with Gemma. I would respect the embargo but make your feelings heard and hope they get back to the client.
I think when you have two "hats", as it were, conflicts of this sort are bound to happen and you need to just follow your heart and hope for the best.
I think pretty much all bloggers know what this is about by now if that's any consolation.
Tricky one indeed!
But we think it's the PR's responsibility to educate their clients as to the different readership a magazine vs. bloggers has.
They are very much two different types of media so in theory an embargo for print shouldn't really effect whether a blogger can/cannot write something if they choose to, if that makes sense..?
We had a sticky situation a few weeks back but realised that what we posted on www.sensi-chic.com was already in the public domain but even so the PR was very tight lipped and couldn't disclose anything to us until the 1st March... weird!!
A difficult one. I'm not a massive fan of them - it makes sense for a product launch to be kept secret to a point but bot if the information's already available. (Although not all press keep to embargos - The Sun for one, although I'm not sure I'd want to be lumped into that category.)
I wouldn't post it, not because of the PR/client relationship, but because otherwise you're giving good and free publicity to people who aren't helpful back in any way. Surely it would be better to be able to write a big, splashy post about a new product without the guilt factor? If Topshop (I'm assuming) are going to be naive about the impact of bloggers, don't make the job easy for them. Let them see what they're missing out on by not having a blog like yours trumpet about it!
productpixie.blogspot.com - let me know what you think, am very new to this! x
I suggest that you keep to the embargo until someone else breaks it. After all, the only party to suffer from you taking that line is the brand launching the new range and they are bringing that upon themselves. If you break the embargo, you risk damaging the PR's career, and who knows, maybe even your own. After all, you aren't solely a blogger. When I was a journalist I was blacklisted (for a rather different reason) by the biggest company in my industry and it made life really difficult for several years.
But as someone else suggested, also call the brand manager at the client and point out that they are
being quite ridiculous.
If it is Topshop, it's out there, I just found this, 26 February 2010
From May fashion-forward retailer Top Shop will offer equally fashion-forward make-up.
The retailer unveiled its first make-up collection in London yesterday - a 97-sku line of lipsticks, lipglosses and crayons, foundations and blushes, nail colours and eyeshadows and kohls.
See http://www.cosmeticsinternational.net/ for the rest of the article
As an avid reader of your blog - I have to say that I am very disappointed by your viewpoint in this article.
You seem fully aware that there are a number of people who have invested time and effort on this project, both at the Company and the PR company.
You are also keen to point out that you have the 'power' to 'literally wreck[ing] the PR's entire relationship with their client and the magazine'.
I question why on earth you would want to do that.
Behind every Company are people. People who would have every right to be very upset to see months of work ruined because someone has taken it upon themselves to publish information when it is obvious that it is morally questionable to do so.
Without being over-dramatic, I do take issue with the fact that you seem to relish this 'power' you feel you hold over 'traditional media' whilst trying to balance it with a conscientious afterthought.
You claim to 'feel literally sick' at the idea of publishing the information yet in the next breath you are falling over yourself to reiterate the 'power' you hold as a mere blogger and how 'catastrophic' it would be to release the information.
Perhaps I have this article wrong, perhaps you have no intention of releasing the information early and are simply building buzz for your blog as being a source for exclusive information.
I feel that I would still find your information genuinely fascinating even if it was published after the PR Company had had its 'official' release.
However I do not think I would be comfortable to continue reading and following your blog aware that you would knowingly cause the problems outlined in your article in the name of being first to publish. I am extremely uncomfortable with that notion.
Regards
TAK
As someone who doesn't have a blog, I don't purport to have a valid or overly informed opinion on your dilemma. Still, if bringing me -the avid reader- exciting and, admittedly, painstakingly sourced news might translate into someone, somewhere losing their job, then, what can I say...I'd rather wait!
It's only a layman's opinion, but I just don't think it's worth it.
Nina
The Amateur Kit: everyone has a voice on my blog and I am grateful for all comments, but I haven't talked anywhere about power - my stats are openly available for anyone to see and you'll have to judge for yourself if it is a worthwhile audience in numbers. I don't care particularly about stats but know I'm lucky to have the numbers I do. And my points are a) I don't want to see a showdown with magazines and blogs at all, and b) trying to highlight from the PR's point of view, and c) I don't like manipulation. You are right...I don't want the PR to lose their client - I have put personal and ethical issues above the need to show the picture and am happy now that is the right thing to do. But I am also trying to help beauty blogs be seen as a continuing and valid source of beauty information and by that I don't just mean my own. As for 'relishing power' - I take huge exception to your misinterpretation. It is nothing about personal power and everything about the advancement of a new medium for women to discover more about beauty.
You wrote that you "feel literally sick" about probably causing harm to the PR's relationship w/ client/magazine. I'd say if something makes you feel sick, you shouldn't do it. Also, you're not withholding information for good, till the end of time, you know? The information will come out... it's not like you have to cover something up or lie about it. I'd say you're still in line with your responsibility to your blog and readers. And (as far as I know ;) there isn't a competition for toughest beauty blogger... just in your head maybe?
Dear BBB,
Thank you for your reply clarifying some of the points that I raised.
I still feel it is an undue grandeur to justify releasing this information under the guise that it aids the 'advancement of a new medium'.
I would appreciate your thoughts as to what advancement you feel would result from releasing this information prior to the press release.
I personally feel that the release of information like this would have the opposite effect on the 'advancement'. Companies and PR companies are only starting to reach out to bloggers in the last few years, it wouldn't take much for Companies to stipulate that their PR companies are not to engage in such activities and we're set back by a long stroke.
I am /assuming/ that your information is straight up product details and official photographs, and not a review from someone that has tested the product.
The latter is why I read blogs written by 'real people' because I want to know how the product works, not what it looks like on a model after being 'Shopped within an inch of its life (although of course I do not mean to imply that this is the sole reason people read blogs, I am certain that breaking news is important to a portion of your followers).
You yourself comment that you do not want to see a showdown between magazines and blogs, but even considering what you are (were?) considering doing, surely you can appreciate that someone working in the industry or indeed for the Company / PR company that you are referring to, would take umbrance to you posting something that you knew you shouldn't really be posting.
I appreciate that you feel that you have a modest following and therefore little of the 'power' that I referred to in my previous reply, but I wonder what the implications are for the relationship between the Industry and blogging as a whole if several blogs with similar readerships decided to publish information like this.
I again mean no disrespect, clearly we have fairly polar views but I am genuinely interested in the thinking behind your views.
Regards,
TAK
Ok, yes indeed I do see how there can be an effect on a personal level and ultimately that's why I've left it alone. Incidentally the visual I have is from the web, but in the interests of protecting the brand identity I can't say where. By Monday thousands of beauty insiders will have seen it where it resides at the moment. If you look at it the other way, the magazines have actually put the pressure on by insisting on having exclusivity themselves (if indeed that is what has happened) and have created this issue. People have to get used to the idea that being able to control how, where and when others sell your product for you is over - the internet in general..never mind just blogs - have made it nigh on impossible to keep information tamped down. Ultimately, it is the consumer who is being dictated to by beauty brands on mass targeting campaigns..I genuinely feel it is time someone (collectively, not just me) called the shots a little differently. Brands and agencies have called the shots for just about ever in campaigns that influence our purchasing ..is there to be no questioning of that? I have lots of questions and I'm going to keep on questioning everything about the beauty industry.
I know you don't mean any disrespect and all debate and opinion is welcome: I never censor comments (other than spam).
Hi,
I'd say the best way to deal with this dilemma (like all dilemmas) is just to put yourself in the other person's shoes. You'll always get the right answer.
Imagine this brand had decided very excitingly to launch their product exclusively to beauty bloggers, and embargo it for magazines. Would your moral concerns still work the other way, and to avoid hypocrisy you'd refuse to be involved unless the playing field was levelled to include magazines too?
Alternatively, if your beauty blog became so successful you launched your own cosmetic range with a set date you were working hard towards, and a magazine published the info early (even if found on the internet), would you agree they'd done the right thing?
Depending on whether you agree (or disagree) in your heart with those scenarios, you have your answer. Hopefully there's no motivation whatsoever coming from a feeling of power over someone else's fortunes, as that's obviously never a good reason to cause upset and distress.
Other good ways to solve dilemmas are:
What's the worst that could happen if I do or don't do this?
Can I be proud of myself if I do this?
Am I making the world a happier place if I do this?
Good luck with it! ;)
I've said it before; if the information is already out there somewhere on the internet, then embargos are pointless and just divisive.
Whatever it is, it *will* be featured in other blogs if they come across it, probably without hesitation. I can understand holding back your nib though, as you work within the industry. Therein lies the rub; you have excellent insider info, but you also know the people involved as a beauty industry professional. And now I've pretty much just repeated what you wrote originally!
If it is topshop - it's already been broken on other blogs, namely bellasugar:
http://www.bellasugar.com/Topshop-Launch-Makeup-Line-7547889
Deems like someone from WWD spilled the beans?
Also, if it is Topshop, I've already read about it in their LfW in store magazine. I might have even blogged about it myself before the official release date, as I didn't know it was embargoed.
Although, I'm not sure it is Topshop, cause they have their own in-house press office.
Some very interesting comments - clearly your blog has great followers. Speaking as a magazine with a blog, I really hope we're not in a 'them and us' situation. At ELLE we respect lots of blog writers - and get them to write for us, too!
Having said that, I also believe that there is still value to magazines in having an exclusive and if something is widely available online, the exclusive loses that worth. As others have said, I guess it's really up to the brand as to what they think will work best for them. I'm sure in some cases that will involve going with online media first and in others magazines.
Whatever happens, I think it's great that we have all these different mediums to work with and people that want to read them!
I know I'm late to the party and you have made your decision but... whatever, here's my tuppence-worth.
I would respect the PR. I had a situation a few months ago where I published a story following a fashion press day. The story was just something little (or so I thought) but got picked up by a few websites and a foreign paper. The PR got in touch with me (for those who don't know, I'm an anony-blogger) and asked for my help, saying that the story had been promised to someone as an exclusive and I had caused some awkwardness between the PR and the client.
The PR didn't know my ID but I felt terrible! And they were so nice about it. So I decided to take the post down out of respect for them. Yes, PRs need to recognise that things are changing but while you are still a trad journalist, you really don't want to burn bridges because you're fighting a cause for bloggers.
Anyway, if it is Topshop, that news has been known for a while - although I think your point is that you actually have a picture.
If PR's didn't send you information on new products then your blog would be behind everyone else (and im sure there are hundreds) which would then result in a much smaller number of people visiting your blog. Essentially then if you are writing it for people to read then they wouldn't be any longer. In ranting as you have done are you not risking the wrath of all PR's every sending you anything which is time sensitive?
Embargoed materials are sent out all the time - if you don't like it find a new hobby where they dont exist!
I think what I try and do is give an all round view of some of the issues that come up with the simple past-time of writing a blog. And I do try and give it a personality stamp and if that means saying what's on my mind so be it. Nobody is forced to read my blog. Embargoes are purely so that brands can control how and when we sell their products for them.
You guys are forgetting that within a large business, years of sales forecasts are built up because of planned links with editorials and the reason they may not have released it to bloggers is precisely because its not out til May! Magazines work a few months in advance so they need to be able to plan that information. Posting it on a blog the same day means that Topshop staff are going to inundated with a hundred questions a day from teenage girls wanting to know "is it out yet?" like children on the backseat of a car journey.
Sometimes I think we need to respect the flow of information in regards to business planning. If a blog champions a nail polish or an eyeshadow without the brand knowing, adequate supplies are not going to be ordered and then the customer is going to leave unhappy and empty handed. Not good for all parties.
BTW, I saw the prototypes for the Topshop range a few weeks ago and its looking great!
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