Yes, I almost New York Knick Amare Stoudemire. I was supposed to have an interview with Stoudemire at an event I attended this week but alas, I was twarted because I wasn’t a big time media outlet, just a mom blogger with millions less readers than ESPN.
Does it bother me? A little because I waited for so long while the traditional media was able to get their interviews in. At some point, the PR guy said only one of us could have an interview so I said that my friend Yakini at stylemeprissy.com could get the last interview, if we could at least get a photo op. He looked slightly miffed at my request.
In the end, he let another media outlet interview him. At that point, I just did not care enough as frankly, I am not that vested in Stoudemire nor was I interested in the lockout. I mean I had to look him to remember he was even a New York Knick. Do you really care about his opinion about the lockout? I know I don’t.
My questions were more centered around his time in Phoenix since I went to business school out there and wanted to know if he hiked Camelback Mountain or like Sedona.
Good news is that Yakini stood her ground and ended with her interview and photo op. Visit stylemeprissy.com to read her interview with Stoudemire.
Oh Well.
Good recap!
As I rode home on the train, I realized a few things. If Im being completely honest, it was a pretty upsetting experience for me – not just because I didnt get the interview/photo opp that I was promised (well, in the end, I did… but thru stalking him throughout the party, versus waiting on the blue carpet along with other media). I think what bothered me most is how I felt like we weren’t valued as “media,” and also I felt that the PR firm had been disingenuous. The woman I had been corresponding with was very nice. She seemed genuinely apologetic, and I understand from her perspective – she can only book the interviews, but in the end it’s the celeb’s agent who makes the call. But her partner (I assume with the same firm?) was very cold and dismissive, stating that no one was really “promised” an interview and that basically I was lucky to even be there to see him.
Anyway, my takeaways from the experience:
1) Be more aggressive as I wait my turn…. when they kept going to media around me, and passing me by, I should have spoken up earlier instead of waiting til the very end
2) I was foolish to tell the guy I “only had 4 questions.” He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I should have said 1 question, and perhaps we would all have gotten at least the photo. I spent too long arguing with him on the blue carpet, and that time could have been spent snapping photos and asking questions.
3) Why did I allow myself to get that upset anyway? Honestly, I dont care about basketball, and only know who he is because of DH. For some reason, I got the idea in my mind that I wanted to interview him and I got stuck on that… so I wasn’t able to enjoy the event after that because I felt so disappointed in myself that I’d blown in. I feel like I need to really examine what’s important, because that interview/photo opp with him certainly wouldnt make or break SMP.
Sorry for the long rant! Glad you posted this experience though.
I agree with you all on points. I am not sure which part is more annoying the lack of respect or the annoying dismissive PR guy.
When I writing this I even thought, I should out the guy since I have his picture but then thought whats the point.
And finally your point about not knowing who he was is so right on.
I loved your post.
Wow, sorry you ladies had such a bad experience. You’d think they’d be happy to get all the press coverage possible but I’ve also learned some pr/press people aren’t that great about working with mom bloggers in media.
Also I’m surprised Amare Stoudemire wasn’t more nice to his fans. Oh well in the end did you really miss out on anything? I think not 🙂