Drug Pushers and an Open Letter to Johns and JessicasPosted by Amanda Chapel 
Dear Friends and Colleagues (and B.L. Ochman, too),
Well, Strumpette got off with a bang indeed. Our server is still quivering. Note this girl's got that telltale smirk today. Thanks. What's next? Scott Baradell said it best, "we're definitely looking forward to the encore." Me, too! Queue the Beatles "With a Little Help from My Friends." A good Strumpette knows that the most pleasing position is listening. I'd love your feedback. I am playing with a few story ideas: The first is purely prurient. There could be a catfight brewing with Ochman. She was the only one with something truly negative to say. Jealous. The pom-pon girls always gave the cheerleaders that attitude. We dismissed them with a look. (Sidebar: I've seen your site B.L. Who picked out that outfit anyway? I mean, there's no there there.) Seriously... I am thinking about a PR version of the "The Drug Pushers" in April's The Atlantic.
Here the author describes the "elaborate theatrical dance" between rep and doctor:
When an encounter between a doctor and a rep goes well, it is a delicate ritual of pretense and self-deception. Drug reps pretend that they are giving doctors impartial information. Doctors pretend that they take it seriously. Drug reps must try their best to influence doctors, while doctors must tell themselves that they are not being influenced. Drug reps must act as if they are not salespeople, while doctors must act as if they are not customers. And if, by accident, the real purpose of the exchange is revealed, the result is like an elaborate theatrical dance in which the masks and costumes suddenly drop off and the actors come face to face with one another as they really are. Sound familiar? It's PR that set/sets the stage for that theatre. Certainly, pharma has been a veritable feeding frenzy for our industry in the last few years. As with the "tech bubble," during irrational exuberance, PR hucksters, shysters, pickpockets and whores flourish. So... if you will, take a moment and drop a dime. Obviously, all leads, tips, anecdotes and accusations, are in my little black book and will be kept strictly confidential. Ciao, - Amanda
PS For those who wanted to know, they're Victoria's Signature Cotton Classic bikinis (small). Bookmark This
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My dime's worth is that I can't wait for the podcast series...I can definitely spot the real thing or a fraud when Amanda starts heavy breathing...
Amanda, this whole thing is a bit Samantha from Sex in the City does PR blogging, is it not?
Daniel,
I think I liked the Jessica Alba reference better. - Amanda
Good to see I'm not the only one taking heat from jealous haters over a hot blog pic.
Like Scott, I eagerly await the encore as well. I haven't been this entertained by no-holds-barred PR commentary since the Fleishman-Hillard fraud case first broke in Los Angeles...
Agreed. We need more honest conversations from "whores" in every industry. Good stuff...
Rusty - How is this honest? Entertaining, yes. Honest? A-MAN-da CHAP-el should call into For Immediate Release if she wants to prove out who he, er, she is once and for all. Until then..."she's a man baby!"
I do not shave under my arms, if that is what you are referring to. It's subtle. It's pretty much status quo in my home town of Sorrento. Frankly, I think it's kind of sexy. Kevin, with all due respect, you're being literal and a bit small minded.
Ciao, - Amanda
I'll be flying in to Chicago to meet with clients on April 4th and 5th, staying overnight at the House of Blues, and will be happy to interview you in order to confirm any and all facts for the good of the blogosphere. ;)
Ah, that's really the NEXT step. Who'll get the scoop on Ms. Chapel. Though Steve Rubel did already offer to have her interview him. Not exactly the same, but . . . close.
So, which'll come first: A face-to-face interview with Ms. Chapel (pix, podcast and all), or exposing who Ms. Chapel really is? My gut, is that she's somewhat for real and genuine. But, still wouldn't be surprised if we see evidence of something else. Regardless, it's back to work. -- Lucky Bernard
Anyone else find it odd that the only "evidence" of the existence of this "ghoulish office pool" is the hearsay from someone who 1) clearly does not use her real name 2) when she tells a story that sounds a little too made up?
Seriously... When "six young chicks" sit around a table on their lunch break, they're not going to be talking about PR bloggers, even ones as high-profile as Steve. Hell... I've worked in agency PR for a decade and I can't think of any "six young chicks" at any one of those jobs who would be sitting around a table talking about "March Madness," the topic that allegedly inspired conversation about this office pool. Where do you fill out the grid? Where do you put the money? Look... I IM with chronic-Rubel-irritant Jeremy Pepper almost every day. If such a pool existed, he'd have told me about one. He hasn't. Delete this one or not. I'll post it to my blog if you do.
Chronic-Rubel-irritant
Sounds like a house cleaning product, to get out sticky stains. And, you know with my inability to keep good gossip, I'd let you know Phil.
Damn you Edelman boys are sharp as a tack. I can imagine clients investing heavily in those acute abilities to cipher. I am also surprised that you have this kind of free time. You are still billing it though right? - Amanda
Amanda,
At least I got to where I am on my merits... not on my back.
You don't have a clue what this site is about do ya? And you really do believe you add value? I would offer to compare notes but what's the point. One 114 lb. girl emasculates your pretense with 3 posts. THREE! That's pretty sad buddy boy. - Amanda
Why so few women of PR commenting on this post?
And where is our dear friend B.L. who has YET to let a SINGLE one of my comments through moderation to her blog--even though I have only once suggested that she "get over her lame self." I say this, I don't know who you are Amanda Chapel, name of Baptist Church and wearer of Underwear of the Stars, but I'm glad you're here. Whether it's for a minute, a week, or whatever. FINALLY, someone who can take the Very Serious Types of PUBLIC Relations down a notch or three or seven. I may have a reason to live after all. And if it turns out you are an agency, well then whoever is doing the writing gets a pat on the back from me. But I can't IMAGINE an agency risking a blog like this because most of them, except Edelman, are owned up the food chain by Big Big Omni Comglomerates With Very Sensitive Lawyers who would LAY AN EGG over this. So, you're either with a tinsy Canadian outfit (and good for you) or your a journo getting back at the lame state of 'our' industry or your a consultant who I love and want for my new very best friend. And the guys can say it ain't so all they want, but you better not kiss your mama with that lying mouth, guys. You know Amanda. She was your best friend and biggest ass pain at the office. She knew everything that was going on and was behind half of it. The women hated her and the men called her bitch to her back and beautiful to her face. PR needs a good outing from the inside. "A little Samantha from sex in the city does PR blogging"? oh, god, duh.
I am a female PR professional. I live in Chicago, and I am in senior management of a major PR firm. I have NEVER slept with a client. I have NEVER slept with my boss. You, on the other hand, have taken a different path...
Amanda, or whatever your real name is, we may very well have worked together at some point throughout the years. And I must say that I am personally offended by your crass, misguided ramblings. You are welcome to you opinion and I am welcome to mine; you're a terrible representation of professional women and you are by NO means the smart and witty gal who is going to bring the PR industry to its knees (other than via your own smutty antics). On a side note, I am not billing my clients for the time I have wasted reading you (pathetically few) blog entries or entering my comments. But I'm probably very correct when I assume that YOU are doing just that while you craft your poorly written blog entries. I think you will be disappointed when you are 'outed' and find that you are not well received... Not because you said what others were only afraid to say, but because you will prove to be as ugly (and disappointing) on the outside as your are showing yourself to be on the inside. You're mother was right, you won't get anywhere with that mouth. AT&T WorldNet Services ATT (NET-12-0-0-0-1) 12.0.0.0 - 12.255.255.255 EDELMAN PR EDELMAN-64-228 (NET-12-176-228-0-1) 12.176.228.0 - 12.176.231.255 Add Comment
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I am pretty traditional.
My God, if PR professional Strumpette's blog posts are as good as her 'About me', she's a must-read from now on. Listen to this:I am, we are, the Strumpette in acrylic heels behind the fat man at the table, a
Tracked: Mar 27, 13:04
Strumpette has gone too far! There is a difference between speaking out and the stuff she is spouting on her blog! In response to this recent post: Excerpt - The first is purely prurient. There could be a catfight brewing
Tracked: Mar 28, 09:20
After last week, I was wiped out during the weekend, and am now just getting around to feeling better about being in public relations. I mean, it was getting pretty darn depressing. Don't know what I mean? Take a look...
Tracked: Apr 03, 22:19