Lunch in D.C. Suburbs
Well, Kami Huyse and I are here eating at the lovely Lebanese Taverna restaurant in the D.C. suburbs. The food is great, Kami and I are laughing so hard we’re crying — no, there were no drinks at lunch — and fortunately there’s wifi here too. This is the first time Kami and I have actually met in person, although we’ve talked on the phone a couple of times, and it’s like we’ve known each other for years. So for anyone who will be in D.C. tomorrow night, make sure to join the D.C. PR Bloggers Meetup and have a good laugh.
(On a serious note, our waiter’s wife and children are currently in Lebanon, awaiting transport back to the United States. Since the regional conflict started, he’s been in daily contact with them to make sure they’re still safe. This drives the point home, on a personal level, that conflicts aren’t just about politics.)
Kami decided to have some IM fun while we’re here and interviewed me (see here) And here’s my interview with Kami:
A Weckerle: The PR profession has taken its lumps lately, some of it justified, some unjustified. What are your thoughts on the self-policing of the profession, especially among PR bloggers?
Kami Huyse: Actually, I am a big proponent of this. Our profession is not regulated in any way (besides libel laws), so we must rely on ethical standards and peer pressure to call out best practices. Paull Young and Trevor Cook’s movement to stop the practice of staged grassroots efforts, or Astroturfing, is one example of holding each other accountable. And you know how opposed I am to faking anything.
A Weckerle: What are your thoughts on how PR and legal can learn to best work together?
Kami Huyse: I have a colleague in PR who tells a story about a refinery that exploded. The spokesperson stood in front of the cameras, framed by the burning building, and said, "The alleged fire…." Sounds like a lawyer was involved with that one. I think that when there is a fire (literally or figuratively) that reputation should be equally weighted with liability in the decision-making process.
A Weckerle: Is it true that you worked on the Miss America pageant? And had you ever thought of entering?
Kami Huyse: Me in a swimsuit, you have got to be kidding! But yes, I worked on a campaign with Heather French, who was the reining Miss America at the time. Her platform was "housing for homeless veterans" and we worked with her to provide housing for several veterans across the county who had pulled themselves out of homelessness. It was a very interesting project and Heather made a huge difference for homeless issues.
A Weckerle: You’re really a tech geek in disguise, aren’t you?
Kami Huyse: The ROI of geekiness is way overrated. Maybe this interview will give me some geekiness SEO, who knows!
A Weckerle: How do you pronounce your last name?
Kami Huyse: Hu-what
A Weckerle: You’re paying for lunch, right?
Kami Huyse: mooch
Kami Huyse: But you can have some of my half-eaten dessert
A Weckerle: Oh yuck, I saw you slicker the fork… Thanks anyway.
Kami Huyse: "slicker," that’s a new one. Thanks Andrea, you learn something new everyday.
Great interview … and I love the new design. Very classy!
Great post. I am a big fan of the Lebanese Taverna; it is just a hop away from where I live.
Hope to get out of work at a reasonable hour tomorrow so I can meet you, Kami, Erin and other DC bloggers at the meetup!
lol – I’ve always wondered how to pronounce Kami’s last name (and yours to for that matter Andrea!).
I certainly agree with Kami’s thoughts that the PR blogosphere has a big role to play in the ethical policing of the profession.
Steve; I hope you make it too, we’ll keep a chair for you. Tell those bosses of yours that you need out, out, out on time
And Paull, we will have a toast to your lonely Australian self. Oh, and consider me a part of your anti-Astroturfing campaign. When I think of something to say that isn’t a rehash of what has already been said, I will post about it.
John: Thanks, Kami and I had fun, so much fun that the people at the other tables kept looking over at us (probably thinking, “so THAT’S what those crazy PR bloggers look like”).
Steve: Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it tomorrow night, and I’m really bummed about that.
Paull: Pronounce the “e” at the end of my name like “lee” and you’ve got it.
Kami: While you’re toasting Paull, toast me too since I won’t be there
Kami – thanks for thinking of me! I’m sure your meetup will be loads more succesful than mine, after all you’ve got the brilliant Erin Caldwell assisting with the organising.
Andrea – I was nowhere near it lol, you’ve set me on the right path.
Nice interview! It is amazing how we develop virtual bonds.
‘Slicker the fork’ love it.