----
On Saturday 21st November 2009 I was pleased to receive an
email from Mat Morrison of Porter Novelli apologising for the incident
& directing me here
where there was a further apology from Jean Wyllie, MD of Porter
Novelli UK. I accept their apology on behalf of King of Shaves, and
consider the matter closed.
-----
I've not been that well these past couple of days, knocked out by a cold/cough/flu virus immediately after my talk to the Bristol Entrepreneur Society on Tuesday (which was great fun, and I really enjoyed it - despite feeling awful).
As I was tucked up in bed, I missed a bigger knock-out, delivered by the hand of Thierry Henry to Ireland's hopes of competing in the 2010 World Cup. Normally I check my twitter & facebook feeds pretty regularly, but until yesterday, hadn't.
So, I was somewhat overwhelmed to see the number of emails & tweets sent to me on the subject, because - of course - Thierry Henry is signed to Gillette.
Tweets received included:
- "Time for everyone to boycott gillette and go @kingofshaves #henrylecheat"
- "Cannot bloody believe Gillette is standing by Henry. There goes my Mach3 in the bin"
- "Wonder if #Gillette will drop #ThierryHenry now? Reputation management issue for brand, they are getting targeted for their association"
Having (naturally!) re-tweeted tweet #1, I was then intrigued to read the following tweet from @charliedm:
"A lot more people would switch to Azor if it wasn't a cheap plastic piece of rubbish that leaves you looking all Sweeney Todd".
Now, as A) I've shaved with our Azor for over 2 years now (and get the close, comfortable and cost efficient King of Shaves each morning), B) know that a lot of people are switching to our Azor - it was the #1 selling system razor handle last month, and C) know it isn't a bit of 'cheap plastic rubbish' - rather, it embodies all that is great in consumer products, not all that is unnecessary - I was interested to see who @charliedm was...
Turns out he's Creative Strategist for Porter Novelli London...
...Gillette's PR agency.
Ooh er. Someone's rattled out there.
The following tweet exchange then ensues:
@kingofshaves Gillette stick with Henry. Many others not sticking with Gillette, but going to King of Shaves, Azor. Good!
@charliedm Well done for turning the misfortune and misery of as entire nation into a publicity drive. That's not at all cheap".
@kingofshaves "Don't Porter Novelli look after Gillette's PR...?"
@charliedm "It's great for the kind of razor you might get in a Christmas cracker...
@kingofshaves "Um, you would say that given you handle Gillette's PR. The King of Shaves Azor is a GREAT razor
@kingofshaves "Surprised that as chief strategist you make such a negative, public comment. wait until you see our october sales - bit worried?.
@charliedm "Does a lion find a dormouse worrying? Anyway, this isn't work - this is jousting"
@kingofshaves "BA used to think that way. And learned the hard way. Joust away, my friend".
@charliedm "Interesting. That's just the kind of thing XL Airways used to say..."
Then, another enters the fray:
@shedmenshealth Playground bitching on twitter? :o/ Charlie,consumers can read! You should know better in PR. Will, stay strong fella!
Then another..
@peterdean1 "*enjoying* @kingofshaves tweet jousting with Gillette PR's > @charliedm.
Then another...
@atterolognis "Interesting joust :-) Funny that he refers to the Azor as a bit of plastic when his is exactly that. Oh wait, it vibrates.
Then another..
Adam: Is @KingofShaves tweet jousting with Gillette PR's > @charliedm going to turn into another great Tweet war? Hmm....
----
On Saturday 21st November 2009 I was pleased to receive an email from Mat Morrison of Porter Novelli apologising for the incident & directing me here where there was a further apology from Jean Wyllie, MD of Porter Novelli UK. I accept their apology on behalf of King of Shaves, and consider the matter closed.
-----
Hey Will..
Bit late to comment on this now I know, but ironically, it was reading about this tweet exchange, as an example of bad practice from a 'social media' perspective that got me to look into the Azor more closely, and do my homework about a year ago!
Now it's made it's way out of my drafts, onto my blog, I thought I'd let you know, I'll definitely be trying out an Azor, once I use up the last of my current Gillette blades.. Or perhaps I'll keep an eye out for the next direct mailer I get, with some bargain pricing!
Keep up the great work! And keep growing from strength to strength!!
@farhan
Posted by: Farhan | 06/04/2011 at 05:16 AM