Would you like to sip a little tea with us? Become a member and find out what’s going on in the larger world of automotive journalism.
Top photo: Newspress
Would you like to sip a little tea with us? Become a member and find out what’s going on in the larger world of automotive journalism.
Top photo: Newspress
No thanks it is a rip off. I didnt get waht was promised
David Tracy is a hack and a liar
Shows how much the Autopian has grown as a respected and feared auto publication!
Good on you!
I appreciate you guys so very much, and your integrity. Your honest journalism is phenomenal. You most definitely cite the information available, and make it well rounded.
Thank you guys!
This kinda stuff only makes me like you all even more, keep up the high standards! But do pick your battles, some manufacturers will stonewall/ban-list you for things like this. They were being rude so I think it might have been warranted, but like some others have said, prioritize your relationships over a little tiff, even when it makes you mad. Some of us (raises hand) has learned this the hard way. When in doubt, ask a co-worker what they think over the phone and listen to the emotions. (Slack lacks some of the emotional queues that can help – I don’t like talking on the phone either but it is a useful tool)
Reply to David’s note: I appreciate your eye for high journalistic standards and sticking to facts. That said, more entertaining inside baseball, please!
I like reading about how the sausage is made. So yeah, more, please.
As far as this particular event went/is going, I have not paid close enough attention to discern what article/review/vehicle was involved. But sometimes, when you (not you, them) complain they just extend the news cycle.
Fresh out of college, I ended up as a police beat reporter for a small (10K subscriber) local newspaper reporter. I transcribed a police department description of a suspect wearing “Levi’s” and I got a letter from Levi Strauss reminding me that “Levi’s” was not to be used generically as a label for blue jeans.
There are countless references to similar letters to reporters from Xerox and Kleenex.
It all sank in. I started using “photocopy” and “facial tissue” instead. And “blue jeans.”
Then, I was lucky/skilled enough to become a TV news photographer and triggering words were someone else’s problem.
More! Not just for the drama (I get plenty of that at my own workplace), but it’s neat to see behind the scenes, especially in an era when journalistic integrity seems to be teetering. Y’all are real professionals, and it’s a pleasure to see you work.
Please keep this up.
Journalistic integrity is suffering agonal gasps at this point. You fine folks keep up the good work.
I love the behind the scenes stuff, keep it up!
Im a little conflicted on this to be honest, but probably not in the way your thinking. I love some good drama and BTS style articles but I feel like you spent so much time defending yourselves in the story that it lost some of the impact or at least the light-heartedness you were going for.
You also went out of your way to not name brands or people which I am sure is appreciated, but im imagining anyone who reads the site regularly figured out which article was the problem child… so if its that easy, why be coy? To be fair, its behind the paywall so I guess it doesnt matter but I would assume there is a risk/reward vs page views calculation that would be needed as these continue.
Tl:dr version. I like the idea. Keep it light, manage risk
As a PR guy, I with you and David on this one. I’m never one to aggressively go after a reporter to take a story down – it’s way more important to preserve the relationship so that if an inaccuracy is ever printed you can get a correction. I have no idea what the corporate situation is, and while I can confirm that internal comms get a lot of pressure from above to make uncomfortable requests from employees, there’s a code of ethics we follow and this wasn’t handled well.
As for mixed messages coming from different spokespeople, I wrote internal policy for my current employer that gives guidance regarding any public statements/responses to media. If someone “went rogue” or spoke without permission, I am going handle that internally.
Huge respect guys, more of this please! Your standards make me proud to be a member and stories like this keep me coming back 🙂
This series sounds like current affairs/showbiz to where cold start is history and the gaps in between. Great member perk!
Since David asked… We love you guys and so appreciate the defense of your creation. But for me – I don’t need to know. I imagine these tussles occur, but I prefer the romance of a site free of inside baseball (outside of the occasional in-line editorial comment).