The New View From Object Towers

“Why I’m So Great”*

*With a nod to a Nietzsche (who was no slouch in the self belief department) and his essay entitled, Why I Write Such Good Books.

The ever-entertaining Lucy Kellaway has another good column in yesterday’s FT. She cites a recent Harvard Business Review article that claims to have established a strong link between exaggerated self-belief and incompetence. In other words, the people most likely to overestimate their ability are those with little ability to start with.

I’m sure most people in their working lives have encountered just such a type. Certainly  the world of PR seems to be populated with more than its fair share. However, as ever, there appears to be a paradoxical attitude to this in the world of spin (I can’t say whether this is more prevalent in other sectors). Senior managers appear to give these self aggrandizers the benefit of the doubt. Even though they fail to deliver the results, their “attitude” is deemed to be  worth more than those who achieve what they say they would, but don’t crow about – or embark on internal self-publicity campaigns.

I guess the psychology is that people want to believe that these people can do what they say they can do – a kind of cognitive dissonance applies, so that they allow their logical concerns to be over-ridden. Of course, you can’t get away with missing targets forever – but the trick is to move on before someone blows the whistle – moving up the greasy pole and avoiding being brought to account.

As Lucy says, in the work context, “Self doubt is not allowed. You can’t say – I don’t know if this will work.”

VNU buys The Inquirer

How things go full circle. Mike Magee has sold The Inquirer to VNU. Guy Kewney has already blogged regarding his possible role as a catalyst for the deal.

Guy Kewney's Role in Inquirer purchase

This is an interesting story for a number of reasons. Mike founded The Register with John Lettice and Drew Cullen before falling out with them in 2001 (although many rumours emerged as to the real reason for the bust up, I don't think anyone other than the participants really know what went on there). He left and set up The Inquirer shortly afterwards - I know a few people at the time weren't sure whether Mike would be able to replicate the success of The Reg - but he ploughed his own furrow and getting a media giant like VNU to buy it must be viewed as somewhat of a coup.

What remains to be seen is to what extent The Inquirer will retain its unique editorial style now that it is under the VNU wing. The Inquirer (like the Reg) has never been one to pull its punches. Take for example Intel's Guide To The European Press - whoever was Intel's PR at the time must have wanted the ground to open up and swallow them.

Of course the terms of the deal are undisclosed. What next we ask ourselves? The Register being bought by IDG?

All the best to Mike on his return to Broadwick Street. At least now the distance from the office to the Star and Garter and Blue Posts can be measure in feet rather than miles.

Richard Ashcroft's Keyboard Player

One time Object Marketing colleague Rico Petrillo dropped by the office this afternoon - taking a quick break from his recent busy schedule as keyboard player in Richard Ashcroft's backing band. We've had fun playing spot Rico on the TV over the last few weeks, as he keeps popping up everywhere - Jonathan Ross Show, Top of the Pops, VH2 to name a few.

Rico is of Swiss Italian descent - and he made his dad happy when he was interviewed on national TV in Italy a few weeks ago. Apparently Richard Ashcroft pointed out that Rico's Italian was much better than his, so he had to do all the talking.

RIchard Ashcroft and band are off to the US next month apparently, supporting Coldplay. We told Rico to remember us back in Shepherd's Bush when he steps out on the stage of all those mega-stadiums.

Son of Smith - early arrival!

Archie Henry Alexander Smith arrived yesterday at 3.08pm. A few weeks ahead
of schedule, but mother and baby fine.

Pic of the wee man below - clearly he is destined to be the the first
Scotsman to score the winner in a World Cup final, a famous rock guitarist,
the most gifted writer of his generation since George Orwell and a great PR
man - all at the same time! No pressure there then ;-)

Many thanks to those who have already sent congrats and good wishes.

Back to the hospital now.

“Terrorist” disruption on our doorstep in Shepherd’s Bush

When I stepped out of the front door yesterday, I couldn’t have foreseen how the day would unfold.

Up until 1.20pm yesterday afternoon, it was a typical business day. I was just about to pop out to get myself a sandwich, when I was confronted with a sight we haven’t seen before in our office – a policeman. He told us to drop everything immediately and leave the building as there was an unexploded bomb at Shepherd’s Bush tube station (Hammersmith & City line). Our office is separated by a wall from the rear of the tube station.

We walked to the end of the Mews and on to Uxbridge Road opposite Shepherd’s Bush market. Then we saw that they’d completely cleared the road up to the Green – and we were told to move away in no uncertain terms.

We decamped to Albertine’s wine bar on Wood Lane. Of course, as we were ushered out of the building so quickly, we had all left our wallets and purses in the office. So we had no money. The very understanding bar staff at Albertine’s were happy to give us some beer “on account”. We then had the bizarre sight of sitting barely yards from our own office and watching the end of the Mews on TV. As the minutes passed by, Albertine’s proved to be an excellent media watching vantage point – film crews from NBC and ITN were there very quickly. (But where was the BBC? Ironic given that Television Centre is a couple hundred yards up the road. Some wag suggested that the Beeb crew were stuck in Bush Bar and Grill having lunch……)

Shortly after 2pm, a policeman came into the wine bar and ordered everybody out. I felt very sorry for the Albertine bar staff (*) as all the people who had been sitting there eating and drinking simply legged it without paying their bills. I do hope people go back and settle up at some point.

My business partner's house is in Bulwer Street, just off Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Green. We decamped to his front room. The police cordon was extended further to right outside his front door. Again, very weird sitting watching the whole thing unfold on TV. By 5.30pm, we ventured out round the Green, and down Goldhawk Road to the Bushranger Pub. On the way we observed the media scrum as around 30 odd journalists and cameramen trying to get interviews with police spokesmen. Got a good vantage point on roof terrace of the pub and a pint in our hands. By 7pm, it was clear that we wouldn’t be allowed back into the office that evening.

So we used the last remaining money to get tube and bus back home to Richmond.

An extraordinary day. And looks like it will be Monday before we are back in the office and back to normal.

(*) The two guys behind the bar were on BBC this morning being interviewed – as they live locally too, looks like they weren’t allowed back to their houses last night either – just to add to their woes.

Autonomous PR Collective event – a good time was had by all.

Last Wednesday night saw the first gathering of the Autonomous PR Collective at the Clachan Pub in Kingly Street, SoHo, London – myself and a some other like-minded PRs decided to throw our own press party – as we said in our invitation, with the aim of “the furtherance of a redistribution of privately held vittles and sustenance to the oppressed members of the journalist class."

By all accounts, we certainly did help the oppressed journalist classes throw off the chains of sobriety.

Indeed, most people asked us when we were going to hold the next one. Current thinking suggests we try and hold a Xmas bash.

As Rupert Goodwins reports here - http://comment.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020505,39209422-3,00.htm
- a small revolutionary vanguard continued the guerrilla battle at a notorious late night drinking den, the Troy Club. Unfortunately, I had departed before an “altercation” developed, which is related to Rupert’s trouser reference.

I’ll leave Rupert to elucidate further on this matter if he so chooses – and so long as it supports the on-going revolutionary struggle.

An Autonomous PR Collective will host a Press Party on Weds, July 13th,
2005 - 6.30pm till late - Upstairs at The Clachan, 34 Kingly St, London,
W1B 5QH

We, the undersigned, this day declare the creation of a NEW revolutionary
social construct, the Autonomous PR Collective, for the furtherance of a
redistribution of privately held vittles and sustenance to the oppressed
members of the journalist class.

The founding members of the Autonomous PR Collective - AKA Jane Lee
(Dexterity), Maxine Ambrose (Ambrose Communications), Teresa Horscroft
(Eureka Communications), Jane Folwell (Folwell PR), and Andrew Smith
(Object Marketing) - call upon YOU to throw off the chains of wage slavery
and to attend the unveiling of our PARTY Manifesto.

Set free your desire to consume BEER and WINE and FOOD. The Autonomous PR
Collective is providing the economic infrastructure to allow you to claim
your right to untrammelled enjoyment and social discourse of a kind never
before seen.

Journalists of the world unite - you only have your sobriety to lose.

Translation: A very nice bunch of independent PRs invite you to join them
for a pleasant evening of food, drink, and chat - and most importantly,
FUN!

Upstairs at The Clachan, 34 Kingly Street, London on Weds, July 13th, 2005
6.30pm.

No clients. No hard sell. We're paying. Go on, you might enjoy it.

Indicate your intention to join the cause. Please send a communiqué (RSVP)
to Andrew Smith, Object Marketing, [email protected] - 020 8762
9292.

Fatherhood - got any advice?

After all these years, the wife and I will be (all things being well) joining the ranks of parenthood in December. The 27th is the alleged date, though something tells me its either going to be the 25th or New Year's Day.

Blimey. Naturally we're both excited and scared in equal measures.

Now that we've been begun telling family and friends, I realise we have unleashed an undocumented torrent of advice on the whole subject. If anybody has any useful advice to lend on the subject I'm all eyes and ears.

Former colleagues - where are they now? Part One

I realise FriendsReunited has a section to allow you to get in touch with former colleagues - however, its no use if they don't actually sign up. It occurred to me that the blogosphere could be an alternative route to getting back in touch with people. (And yes, I know Google is the answer to everything, but this is more fun).

My working career began in 1985 at the Retail Newsagent Tobacconist and Confectioner. One of the UK's oldest trade weeklies (founded in the late 19th century), I arrived at a time when the retail/wholesale side of publishing got interesting (with Rupert Mudorch, Wapping, and the move from rail to road distribution). Also co-incided with the launch of the first national newspapers in a generation - Today, The Independent, etc.

However, whatever to:

Brian Viner - staff writer - well, I know what happened to Brian. He went on via the Ham and High and the Mail on Sunday to be become a fixture columnist at The Independent, where he is now. The look on his face  as he lost a 2000 word feature through hitting the wrong key on his Amstrad PCW8256 is an abding memory. I did email a few years back at the Indepedent, but got no reply.

John Haylett - my first editor. And tennis nut. He was editing Tennis Monthly a few years back, but no idea where he is now.

Susan Iesi - features editor. No-one could write a 1000 word feature on confectionery like her. Google draws a great big zip.

Karen May - staff writer. Welsh, strong views. Went travelling for awhile, but apparently did end up back in journalism - but where?

Belinda Archer - staff writer. Went  on to  Campaign, and freelance work.  Byline in the Guardian in 2000, but no sightings since.

Nick Shanagher - Deputy News Editor - Irish/Australian. Ribbed me mercilessly. Was Editor of Local Government Chronicle in the early 90s, but not heard of since.

Who knows - perhaps somebody out there might have some clues.

Andrew J. Wilson in town

My very old chum (best man) Mr A.J Wilson is down in London for a few days. Good to see him again - and find out how recent fatherhood is treating him.

He is deep in the throes of anthology editing and gearing up for WorldCon in Glasgow.

For those interested, more info below.

http://www.writers-bloc.org.uk/comrades/ajw/

Andrew J. Wilson was born in Aberdeen in 1963. After studying English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, he went into publishing, and currently works as a freelance editor and writer. He is the science fiction, fantasy and horror reviewer for The Scotsman.

Andrew has published short stories in magazines and anthologies in Britain and the United States, including DAW Books Years Best Horror Stories, Markings, Fear and Scottish Book Collector, and he has also read his work on BBC Radio Scotland. His plays The Terminal Zone and The Black Ambulance Gang have both been performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the latter on a moving bus several years before Speed was shown in the cinemas!

He has also published journalism and criticism in a number of markets, including Scotland on Sunday, Dreamwatch, Caledonia and Metro. He has also appeared on television and radio as a commentator, and regularly chairs events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Recent stories have appeared in Gathering the Bones, an international anthology published by Harper Collins in Australia and Tor in the USA, and The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric and Discredited Diseases. Forthcoming work will appear in H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror and Sailing on Strange Seas, a tribute anthology to William Hope Hodgson.