PRWeb Podcasting (A.K.A. Sales Puke-Cast)

PRWeb is putting out a service that is basically a softball, PR interview with submitted-press-release inspired questions for people who do a certain level of press release distribution with them.

Podcasting is supposed to be a conversation - unique, compelling content that happens on an ongoing basis. These are one-off 5-7 minute advertisements, and I can’t imagine would create a relationship with customers since they don’t provide value. This example is not about giving value, it’s about a one-shot ad with PRWeb.

Let me give you an example of the intro of one doozy, which is the first bit of voice at the beginning.

“The MSX classic is manufactured by one of the worlds leading faucet manufacturing companies, and features chrome and brass surfaces, ceramic valves, and state-of-the-art protective finishes. Nothing but the best.”

Gag. It’s a 5-7 minute radio infomercial ad.

It goes on to talk about “easy cleaning” and “motorcycle inspired.” The whole thing is an ad that give me no value whatsoever. Also, there is no emotional connection (which is a major benefit to podcasting) between the company and the listener.

PRWeb doesn’t get it. Of course, it’s a business opportunity. It makes them look cool to the majority of marketers who do not have a clue what Web 2.0, podcasting, or blogging actually is.

And it doesn’t make them any money to put the thought into creating a campaign, the man hours, for each individual client, it’s a factory model - it’s making a podcast a “check mark” on the list and just getting it done instead of getting it done right.

I am a fan of Jeffrey Gitomer and his philosophy of giving value to get value - and NO ONE wants to sold, but they love to buy.

This is sales puke to me. It’s one thing if it’s a sponsor and all I had was an ad, but why would I subject myself to 5-7 minutes of some PR person spewing on me why they’re the greatest?

Other issues include the cover art being PRWeb-branded, not subject branded, as well a the media player on the site requiring the entire podcast episode to be loaded and so it does not play immediately, and you cannot easily “drag and scan” through the podcast.
It’s the infomercial radio approach dropped on a “podcasting” framework - and another large company wanting to be on the “bandwagon” with a top-down approach to the medium.

Not to mention, the entire podcast, both host and subject, being on the phone is just grating.

p.s. - I do give them credit for using Ogg Vorbis. Few use the format right now, but it’s open source and that’s a good thing.