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Leaked Microsoft Dossier on Journalist

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i-see-you-have-bad-grammar-mr-bond dept.

Ludvig A. Norin writes "Wired journalist Fred Vogelstein blogs about how he accidentally got hold of a dossier on himself produced by Microsoft's PR firm, Waggener Edstrom. While it's not unusual for PR people to create background files on journalists, it's notable that this one leaked, and got commented by Waggener Edstrom's Frank Shaw and Wired Magazine editor in chief Chris Anderson. Makes for an interesting read — there's lots to learn from the inner workings of the Microsoft PR machinery." Someone please send me mine? I bet it's really friendly!

2 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. It *wasn't* a dossier on the journalist! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    It was a briefing memo for the PR encounter. Of course it'll talk about the journalist but that doesn't mean they watch his every move - it just means they read up on him for when they're going to cross paths.

    It's a bit chatty in places - and this sort of work will always be subjective - but it reads to me as a good professional briefing by an efficient PR outfit.

  2. amen by artifex2004 · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's a bit chatty in places - and this sort of work will always be subjective - but it reads to me as a good professional briefing by an efficient PR outfit.

    I totally agree. My first thought, before even finishing reading the memo, was, dang, how do I get these people to work for me?

    Makes me wonder whether the "leak" was accidental, or they were getting free publicity :)
    Speaking of, if you like this stuff, you should watch the BBC sitcom Absolute Power.