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Messages From Hosts

Walmart, Windex, And The Big Glass House

March 8, 2006

Posted by Rick.Murray

As I get caught up on (and in) the hundreds of posts commenting on Michael Barbaro's article on Wal-Mart and blogging that ran in Tuesday's New York Times, I can't help but think that there are now 30 million people living in what is arguably the world's biggest glass house. What we all need is a good dose of Windex. (No disclosure required... Windex is NOT a client.)

For what it's worth, I think the debate going on around this story is incredibly healthy. And the operative word in that sentence is "debate." There are two sides to this and any argument, and frankly, neither one is all black or all white. Seriously, is there anything that makes you feel as good as taking a public stand for what you believe in?

The "watch-out" in all this is what I'm calling the Windex factor. This is not an "either you blog or you're insignificant" world, yet. Hell, even Scoble and Israel admit in Naked Conversations that blogging isn't for everyone. That said, it's also not a world where blogs can be viewed as a passing fad, and thus ignored. To me, the central issue to this debate, and the common ground we can and should all be seeking here, is total disclosure.

Let me offer a simple solution: Spray a little Windex on all your posts to make them as clear and as tranparent as that metaphorical glass house in which we all live. Take a look at your post before you hit "publish." If you don't like what you see, or you can't look yourself in the mirror and be prepared to defend everything it says, don't post it until you can.

Technorati Tags:
walmart, transparency, edelman

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posted by Rick.Murray

Messages From Hosts

Welcome To TalkShop

January 11, 2006

Posted by Phil.Gomes

Many of you know me from Phil's Blogservations. Some of you have wondered when I'd be starting a blog under the Edelman.Com domain.

Well, here you have it. Welcome to TalkShop.

"To put it country simple," as William S. Burroughs used to say, TalkShop is a team blog about word-of-mouth marketing, social media, and related topics. We seek to be informative, analytical, and (when appropriate) slightly irreverent.

Now, I'll tell you what this blog isn't:

This won't be Phil's-other-blog

We have contributors from all over Edelman's network that, as of this writing, counts 43 offices worldwide. Think of me more as a host, editor, and frequent contributor.

A place for agency chest-beating

You won't read TalkShop otherwise. (Though I'd be surprised if it didn't happen from time-to-time.)

Time to TalkShop.

Technorati Tags:
pr, public relations, word of mouth marketing, wom, buzz

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posted by Phil.Gomes

What's Talkshop

TalkShop is a blog about word-of-mouth and the Me2 Revolution, published by Edelman and hosted by Phil Gomes, the company's Senior Counsel, Online Communications. This blog pulls in thoughts and opinions from members of the worldwide Edelman network.