Dec
9
A few weeks ago I received an email that I got very excited about. Here’s a screenshot:
I posted about my enthusiasm for Riley on Instagram and Twitter, and people began to get excited for him. Then I heard that our Great Big Interview had actually been … a Great Big Ad. Here’s what I shared on Twitter about how it went down:
So remember how excited I was for Riley to talk to Alex Blumberg from This American Life? Well, he did. It was awesome.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
Except the resulting clip was used for a Squarespace ad. Not a show about Minecraft, or a show about kids using Squarespace. An ad.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
Which I just listened to as a sponsorship for the podcast Reply All. Well. That’s … yeah. Not at all how it was presented to me.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
This is how it was presented to me. No one said anything about it being used for an ad. I’m very, very bummed. @NPR pic.twitter.com/ulpjl71pVx
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
Blumberg’s calling me now, will report back. :(
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
Alex from @ThisAmerLife called an apologized. He’s a super nice guy. But just a giant unethical move and I’m so sad it came from them.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
I didn’t ask for the ad to be pulled, bc fundamentally we DO love Squarespace. But native advertising HAS to be transparent to all parties.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
Otherwise … when we blur the lines between marketing and journalism the point where people are misinformed, that’s just lying.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
And I’m really, really sad my @NPR loving kid got so stoked for what ended up being a commercial. I don’t even know what to tell him.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
We’re still fans, but I had to tell the rest of this story, especially since I got people so invested.
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
No one gave me a release to sign or anything like that, or talked about compensation. And no, I would never sue. @ThisAmerLife
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
But it was beyond shady and I hope all ad policies are re-considered (seewhatIdidthere) going forward. @ThisAmerLife
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
As for my “beyond shady” comment … well, I regret that now. But here’s why I wrote it:
One last bit, and then I’m done: @abexlumberg’s team had ample team to correct my belief my son’s call was editorial. pic.twitter.com/9v9rCkyVFi
— Linda (@Sundry) November 25, 2014
After a few days had passed …
Turns out part of the endless confusion about Riley’s phone call with Alex Blumberg is that Alex isn't with This American Life any more.
— Linda (@Sundry) December 3, 2014
It was represented to me as though he was, which is why I turned around and told you guys that. Alex left to start Gimlet Media.
— Linda (@Sundry) December 3, 2014
I have an interview with Alex today to talk about the mess, and how he was using the ad for his biz, http://t.co/Ov2FPsAsyx.
— Linda (@Sundry) December 3, 2014
It will be aired, hopefully, on his podcast Startup. I’ll let you know when/where/how etc. Alex has been super apologetic …
— Linda (@Sundry) December 3, 2014
…and really seems to want to make amends. Lord knows I’ve made colossal fuckups before, glad to help him share his side of the story.
— Linda (@Sundry) December 3, 2014
Here’s his story. It’s good. It’s all good.
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