Cancellation Carol. This one is a doozey. It takes time to book a television spot, radio spot … you name the media outlet type and most people do not realize the time it takes. I am talking back and forth with the client, the producer, and most importantly is the fact that my clients block off their time. Cancellation Carol is the epitome of bad, bad, very bad behavior. While I was trying to get the call information (and I am talking numerous messages on a confirmed spot), I eventually was able to reach Carol and she wanted to move the spot to a live show in the very same morning. Please keep in mind I was scheduling with someone who is currently on a plane. Anyway, we got that dialed in (thankfully, I know how to reach my clients) to only receive a long winded email from the producer cancelling as they do not cover certain subject matters. Please keep in mind this was the night before the morning interview. Um, why did they book the spot? Cancellation Carol is a time waster and I will not be endorsing or pitching her show ever. I obviously cannot share the diatribe I received, but it would have been much more entertaining to receive an email that read, “I won’t be in today. My fish is sick and I need to take it to the vet.”
I don’t feel like being on T.V. today Irene. In 6 years, I have never had a client cancel on a television spot. Ever. I had one long term client once try to pull the I don’t feel like going on attitude (granted, she had been on every local media outlet and was over it), but I politely told her to get her A$$ down to the station and all went well. I only pitch national media for her now. Anyway, I had a major client cancel on a 45 minute interview and it was last minute notice. Granted they had turnover, but after going back and forth with the new client at the said firm, the end response was “We do not feel like doing it.” This would have been good information to have about 6 months ago and I had to play damage control with the producer. Thankfully it all worked out. My point? You never cancel a media appearance you committed to and if you do … it better be a really good excuse. For example, “My fortune teller advised against it.”
Undervalue Ursula.
