Editor's note: The following is a series of e-mails between a Niagara USA Chamber member, Chamber head Robert Newman and Niagara Falls Reporter Editor Mike Hudson between Oct.1 and Oct. 8. To protect the guilty, everyone's name except Bobby Newman's and Mike Hudson's have been changed. It's a pretty funny story and you should read it, especially if you think the Niagara USA Chamber cares one whit about business in Niagara Falls.
From: Tom Nauss
To: Robert Newman
Hi Bob,
The Chamber's new Membership Directory & Buyer's Guide lists "Niagara Area Media" on page 20. I am getting ready to do a press release and thought this section was pretty useful.
Unfortunately, the section is not complete. The Niagara Falls Reporter is not listed in this directory. I happened to notice this because I read that paper on a regular basis.
Could you have someone check the media guide and find out who else is missing? Once revisions are made, could you please have a complete list mailed out to all members in the next mailing?
I am sure I am not the only member that uses the media list for press releases.
Tom
From: Robert Newman
To: Tom Nauss
Sorry for the inconvenience. The Niagara Falls Reporter did not give us permission nor have they expressed interest in being included in our Directory. It is probably safe to assume the media guide is not totally inclusive and serves only as a reference point. Thank you.
Bob Newman
Niagara USA Chamber
From: Tom Nauss
To: Robert Newman
Bob...Your reply is very apathetic.
Why isn't the media guide totally inclusive? Do you mean to tell me that the people that were paid to put the guide together just managed to do a half-complete job?
There are not that many media companies in the WNY area. I find it hard to believe that it would be that hard to make a complete guide.
And why would you need permission from the Niagara Falls Reporter to print their public information in your guide?
Can you produce copies of letters of interest from the other media that are listed in the guide? Did all of the other media companies grant the Chamber permission to print their information in their guide?
The Chamber excluded the Niagara Falls Reporter from the media guide because of hurt feelings more than anything else. The Reporter has picked on the Chamber and its management in the past. So the Chamber decided to leave the Reporter out of the media guide as a means of pay-back. Well, that is pretty immature.
Clean up the act at your agency and produce an updated media guide that can be mailed out to all of the Chamber's members in the next monthly mailing.
From now on, if you are going to do something do it right.
Tom
From: Robert Newman
To: Tom Nauss
The Chamber is advocating responsible and mature communication as a way to improve the quality of life n (sic) the region. It would be best if your future communications were in writing.
Thank you.
Bob
From: Tom Nauss
To: Robert Newman
Come on, get with the times. This communication is in writing. And how would a letter sent via snail mail improve the quality of life in the region?
I am not taking legal action against the Chamber. I am just pointing out that the Chamber has failed to do a good job and asking for some accountability in this regard.
If you want to talk maturity explain to me why the Niagara Falls Reporter was omitted from the media guide. That was a very immature action. The Chamber has to own up to to this omission and fix it.
Send out an updated media guide in your next monthly mailing.
Tom
From: Mike Hudson
To: Robert Newman
Dear Bobby, have complete transcripts of your recent e-mail correspondence with one of your members, vis a vis the omission of the Reporter from your business directory. Your daddy should have named you Dick. Thanks for the nice story.
Truly yours,
Mike Hudson
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | October 15 2002 |