Mad as Hell and Not Going to Take It Any More

Today, I received a call on my cell phone from an unknown company. This “unnamed” company hailed from Seattle (based on the area code of 206) and was trying to solicit me for a new credit card with the lure of lowering my credit card bills. While I’ve received a half a dozen calls from this company, today I was mad as hell, and determined not to take it any more.

Since my cell phone number is on the FTC’s “Do Not Call” list, I get particularly annoyed with these calls. In the past, I’ve attempted to prevent them from calling me -- I’ve pressed the designated number as if I’m interested, so I can speak to a live person. I try to plead my case, but they’ve repeatedly hung up on me. Clearly disinterested in my distress over the call (and clearly, I am NOT a good lead, so why ignore my request?). I was stumped.

Today, I Googled the incoming phone number (206.214.5578) and found a very interesting website where a host of people are complaining about this company and their unethical business practices (http://tinyurl.com/7c9el9w).One blogger actually did the research and discovered that the phone number belongs to a company in Seattle, and provided a link to the LinkedIn profile of the CEO. AHA!

I promptly sent an “In Mail” message to the CEO as follows:

For the 6th time in the past month, I received a call on my cell phone from one of your representatives. When I try to politely ask to be removed from your call list, the caller promptly hangs up. And I get another call a week later.

As a seasoned direct marketer, these tactics do NOT help increase your lead generation activities, but rather create a negative view of your brand.

I would be more than happy to work with you/your marketing staff to help INCREASE response/lead rates and conversions, so I invite you to contact me. Know that your name and Linked In Profile are being circulated on the internet, and you will be getting a lot of spam to your in-box. Rather than deploy that tactic, my goal is to HELP you succeed.

If you choose to ignore my offer, then please do me the courtesy of suppressing my cell phone number from future solicitations. It's XXX.XXX.XXXX. Remember: You are breaking several laws by continuing to call my cell number and ignoring my pleas to be put on your "do not call" list.

Let’s see if this CEO actually wants to build a positive reputation with consumers. Let’s see if the power of 1:1 marketing pays off. Let’s see if this CEO can take my cell number off his call list.

I don’t blame the guy for trying to make a living. But in an age where we, as marketers, need to act responsibly, I am LOVING LinkedIn for their ability to help me find and contact those organizations who need a lesson in marketing strategy.

Was Alec Baldwin a plant?

Perhaps it's just me.

I find it suspicious that the day after Alec Baldwin was tossed off an airline for refusing to shut down his iPad in the middle of a "Words With Friends" game, Zynga (the game manufacturer) announces it's going to have an IPO.

Mr. Baldwin has enjoyed lots of press about his actions and each time he casually mentions the product name "Words With Friends" -- including on a Saturday Night Live spoof. You can't buy better press than that!

I must admit that I'm also addicted to WWF -- and to other Zynga games Hanging With Friends, and various other games of skill/luck. Yet the general media keeps referencing Zynga and "Farmville" without a mention of their other games.

I think they're letting Mr. Baldwin do all the marketing for them.

Smart. Very smart.