Yes, Bloggers Are Amateurs -- But Do They Have to Be So Unprofessional?

(Author's note: Blogger relations memories, circa 2006.)

Gawker has an e-mail exchange between blogger Perez Hilton and a Playboy publicist regarding a Super Bowl party that will make you want to throw yourself over the nearest railing.

Excerpt:

From: Jose Martinez, Harrison & Shriftman
To: Perez Hilton
Date: 2/6/06

Someone just sent this to me ... was this comment in response to you not being invited to our party?

"The Maxim party overflowed with celebs and VIPs who decided not to go to the Playboy party, which was very far away, at the airport."

Thank goodness, only non-insiders read your unreliable page. You need to really be more responsible if you desire longevity in this business. I understand being snarky, but lies only make you look stupid in the end. I trust you'll see our media coverage in the coming days and see who and what our party really was like.

From: Perez Hilton
To: Jose Martinez
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2006 14:52:29 -0500

And I trust you will keep your ego in check and remove your dislike (or indifference) of me from the equation.

You may choose not to invite me and invite a blogger who gets 1/3 of the traffic I do, and I can choose to write whatever I play.

I never claim to be objective. In fact, I reslish in my perspective and point of view. That's why people visit my site, so much that I get more visitors in ONE day that visit me than read Star or OK in one week.

If and when Harrison Shriftman decides that I am "worthy" of being invited to your events, then I will begin to give them favorable coverage.

Hoo-boy.