I’m Not Objective
Every now and then, seemingly on a regular occasion, representatives of publishing, including bloggers (even WINE bloggers) engage in a conversation about "objectivity". It's a good conversation to have because a good publisher needs to be as objective as possible about the information they provide their readership with.
Of course this need for objectivity is not universal. For example, I'm probably not the right person to ask to be objective on the issue of direct shipment of wine. That is to say, you can't count on me to simply report what those on the various sides of direct shipping issue have done and leave it at that.
It turns out I'm also not objective about something else: Those folks who choose to support this Blog with their advertising dollars: I like them and I appreciate them and I want to bring your attention to them.
For example:
Gold Medal Wine Club
We LOVE these wine club people and think you should too!
My Wines Direct
We LOVE these wine vendors and think you should too!
The Winery Channel TV
We LOVE these producers of wine-related video content and you should too!
Wine Guerrilla
We LOVE these producers of Zinfandel and Great labels and you should too!
Vinfolio
We LOVE these retailers and providers of cellar management software and you should too!
California Wine Club
We LOVE these wine retailers and think you should too!
Actually, I don’t agree with the premise that a good publisher needs to be objective. There are plenty of good publishers that are not objective. It really depends on who you are catering too. There is plenty of room in the wine press for a particular editorial viewpoint.
And I love the Gold Medal Wine Club, even though they do not advertise on my site. I think they are a very accessible entry point to better wine for the newcomer. Just thought I’d throw that out there!
Hi Tom,
Saw your “I’m not objective” blog. Just wanted to say thanks for doing that, and thanks for putting us front and center.
Appreciate it.
Lori
Gold Medal Wine Club
Oh and Steve, also very much appreciate the praise. Perhaps we can discuss your editorial point of view for ’09. : )
So, essentially you’re not a blogger.
You’re a PR Flak.
Nothing wrong with that. Our firm has never used one, but I know Flaks have their place.
Joe:
I’m not just a “PR Flack”. I’m a PR Flack with credentials and experience.
However, with regard to this post I’m a publisher of a Blog who wants to thank those that support the blog.
So, you’re using the blog format to push your accounts.
This is very astute PR Flacking because it gives the impression that your support for your accounts is based on genuine support, not the fees they pay you.
Pretty slick!
By the way, you used to mention Kermit Lynch a lot here.
Is he no longer an account of yours?
Joe:
Not quite. I’m using my blog to push my advertisers, who are not necessarily clients. And as it turns out, Kermit Lynch was never a client of Wark Communications. But if you have an “IN” with Kermit, I sure wouldn’t mind a recommendation.
How much would it cost my company to advertise with you?