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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Did anyone else get an email from a PR agency, regarding TV habits of their children?

46 replies

moodlumhohohoodlum · 07/01/2009 20:27

I got two emails today, regarding me participating in more research into children's TV habits, for PR purposes. After the first one, a few hours later, I got a second one, apologising profusely for the first one...

How strange? I vaguely remember filling in some MN thing about what TV my children watch, but I didn't expect to be contacted.

Has anyone else had this? Or am I being a bit dim, and this has already been discussed?

OP posts:
AnarchyAunt · 07/01/2009 20:28

Me too

Original poster
moodlumhohohoodlum · 07/01/2009 20:31

Ahaa.

Annoying isn't it?

thanks.

OP posts:
SlartyBartFast · 07/01/2009 20:34

yes i did,
was it via here then??

Marina · 07/01/2009 20:35

Yes and I complained to them about what they did

Nagapie · 07/01/2009 20:36

I got the e-mail and the address it was sent to was the one I only use for Freecycle..

Just another reason to get off the lists ...

samsonthecat · 07/01/2009 20:38

I had it too.

hannahsaunt · 07/01/2009 20:39

Me too.

mejon · 07/01/2009 21:01

Me too. It was a bit presumptuous and didn't make much sense either.

SlartyBartFast · 07/01/2009 21:03

there weren't that many names on it.. and none i recognised

whomovedmychocolate · 07/01/2009 21:07

me too. grrr.

callmeovercautious · 07/01/2009 21:08

The point is they copied everyone so all the addresses are there to see

Not what I expect from MN. I hope they get a good kick up the backside from MNtowers. The apology is crap as well. I can't believe they breached Data protection and then just sent that out!

Never mind the fact I would not have consented to being contacted about their rubbish anyway

whitenoise · 07/01/2009 21:09

there are loads on it! and plenty i recognise that i didn't know were still MNEtters so have obviously namechanged

Original poster
moodlumhohohoodlum · 07/01/2009 21:12

I agree, it was such a stupid mistake, and I also agree that MN Towers should have given them a good hiding. I used to be in PR and anyone who's any good knows that you just don't do stupid things like that.

GGrrrr

OP posts:
DataDay · 07/01/2009 21:18

It was completely unprofessional. I cannot believe a PR company could be that ignorant and irresponsible. The apology was breezy in tone and did not indicate that the person in charge of the whole thing has any idea of the importance of this sort of thing. "I should have thought about that" It's an entry level professional standard, not a bright idea a new recruit might have after tea break!

I hope MNHQ get a significant, formal apology too, because this sort of thing is a serious breach of trust. MNHQ pass this sort of thing on to members in good faith and the research comapny have let them down badly.

Fillyjonk · 07/01/2009 21:19

am pissed off with the apology too

"Dear all,

I am getting a few emails about the fact that I made all your email addresses public. For this I can only apologise massively. I admit this is a huge mistake and I should have thought about this.

I sincerely hope this does not cause you any problems and those who responded with anger I will immediately remove you from the list. Those that have kindly agreed to help with this thanks you very much and I will be in touch in the next few days.

Many thanks and apologies again,

Jilly

"

fgs. That is IT? Sorry I've just condemned your main email address to 800 years of spam, oh and breached confidentiality.

God if I'd just taken part normally rather than winning £250 of Boden vouchers I would be FUMING.

Fillyjonk · 07/01/2009 21:19

am pissed off with the apology too

"Dear all,

I am getting a few emails about the fact that I made all your email addresses public. For this I can only apologise massively. I admit this is a huge mistake and I should have thought about this.

I sincerely hope this does not cause you any problems and those who responded with anger I will immediately remove you from the list. Those that have kindly agreed to help with this thanks you very much and I will be in touch in the next few days.

Many thanks and apologies again,

Jilly

"

fgs. That is IT? Sorry I've just condemned your main email address to 800 years of spam, oh and breached confidentiality.

God if I'd just taken part normally rather than winning £250 of Boden vouchers I would be FUMING.

louii · 07/01/2009 21:23

Yup me as well, my real name is on my e-mail address, nice!

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 07/01/2009 21:30

Hi all,
This is as you all rightly point out, is a complete balls up and deeply irritating for both you and us. We'll certainly be talking to this agency first thing tomorrow to make it clear how unacceptable this is.

Many many apologies to all from our end.

whitenoise · 07/01/2009 21:31

thank you justine

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2009 21:39

oh.
thats where the email came from. As soon as I saw it I marked it as spam. So the apology confused me because I hadnt paid attention to the first one.

It is pretty dreadful.

SlartyBartFast · 07/01/2009 21:42

we had the same at our save our local hospital thingy. one email had everyone's addresses on.
which is bit like breach of privacy... but mumsnet is based around privacy is it not?

Fillyjonk · 07/01/2009 21:45

also, though I would be deeply annoyed at the local hospital thing...well that is at least a Good Cause.

Not a bloody tv ad agency looking for cheap copy

Original poster
moodlumhohohoodlum · 07/01/2009 21:47

Thank you Justine

If the agency in question wish to make it up to us for a)the stupidity of the account executive in the first place and b)the breezy silly old us apology, with something pretty for us all (and you), that will also be fine..

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2009 21:48

Actually, it is more than pretty dreadful, it is appalling. I don't remember the T&C - were they supposed to have our email addies? Did we give permission for them to hold on to our details so they could use them on a mailing list?

It is really going to make me think hard before filling out anymore surveys.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 07/01/2009 22:55

We don't pass on emails without your express permission so I very much doubt we did so without it being part of the T&C - but Carrie is Queen of Market Research round here, so she'll follow up tomorrow.

Clearly someone at the PR company involved in this particular survey has made an error here but in general there's no need to worry about MN surveys.

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