IT'S THE PRINCIPLE, GODAMMIT!

This morning Imelda’s in a bad mood, scratch that, I’m in a vile funk and not even the sight of Yum Yum self tasering (she's dedicated) can stop me from going nuclear.

Why? This morning I should have saddled up the horse and buggy for the trip into town for a preview of ZU’s 2nd summer range. I should have come home with a purse full of mini salmon pancakes and some exciting new footwear to share with you. But none of those things happened because for the last 8 months I have been dancing on a shifting carpet with the public relations company who represent the ZU brand.

(Imelda most mornings)

I understand that there’s a certain amount of chasing involved, fashion bloggers are breaking new ground…truthfully, I don’t mind, my nobbly old pins are up for it! But at what point do you say enough is enough, haven’t I already proven myself?

Whilst I could name about 10 Sydney based fashion PR agencies that either don’t understand or don’t rate blogging, today my beef is with the company who denied Imelda her mini salmon pancakes and who bitch slapped bloggers all over the country…The Trish Nicol Agency (formerly Line Communication).

Case Study 1

By nature I’m a proactive person, but when I discovered ZU were holding their second summer preview I was certain I wouldn’t need to ‘taddle’ my way to an invite. Despite a loooong history of forgetting to do things like say thanks, send me look books, etc. I was positive they would send me an invitation. Had my money not been tied up in off shore accounts I would have bet on it! So I waited and waited and then waited some more and sure enough - ‘boom boom’ - snubbed, yet again.

(I waited so long for an invitation I passed out)

I thought WTF, I’ve been dealing with this brand and their PR agency for 9 months, haven’t I paid my dues! On one hand you include my posts in your monthly press clipping report yet on the other hand you disregard my work and my medium by refusing to treat me with the same respect shown to print media and I’m steaming like a Minnesota cow patty in the middle of summer.

(mad, clearly!!!)

Imelda’s not getting all uppity and precious (which is odd) – I ain’t no print media princess but I am sick of the double standard. It’s OK for PR agencies to print off your work, assign your post a PR dollar value and present it to their clients as part of a monthly report. But it’s not OK for them (and by them I mean the bad agencies like Sweaty Betty, because there are some white hot agencies who I love dealing with) to engage and show us the same level of respect shown to print.

With so many other local and international brands willing to talk to The Despot I’m not sure if I should draw a very public line in the sand and say ‘enough is enough’ or do I maintain my support for one of the first brands to jump aboard the Imelda Express? When do you come to the realisation that a battle is just not worth fighting?

(you get the idea)

Don’t think (not even for a millisecond) that Imelda will rest on her taser heels. I’m hungry like the wolf, driven to be the best and I’ll do what’s necessary to bring you the freshest news available, including sending Yum Yum, Marmalade Wombat(and her feral cats) to sort the bitches out.

Now Yum Yum has removed the birds from my hair and my heads stopped spinning I want to look at the work of one of my favorite photographers…if any one can put a smile on Imelda’s dial, it the brilliant Guy Bordin.

ps - I've used the work of Guy Bordin throughout the post to illustrate my moods...just sumet different and unusual.

pss - Fuck Guy Bordin!!! Check out this camp brilliance the beautiful Jill of Trend de la Creme has served up - now thats how you make a despot smile!

Comments

[trend de la creme]

Fuck 'em! Their day will come. (Hell, I've never set eyes on an issue of Australian Vogue but I read your blog daily.)

Maybe this will cheer you up :)

http://www.trenddelacreme.com/2008/07/will-real-imelda-please-stand-up.html

[Skye]

Eh,Zu schmoo - who needs they anyway? It'll just be the usual collection of international designs knocked off and made tartier. That said, I do think the respect is due to the despot!

[Imelda Matt]

Trend - fuck you're the best...lol

[Imelda Matt]

Skye - I should point out it's not the brand at fault it's the PR company. As I mentioned the brand was one of the first to commit when I started out!

[a dreamer]

hahah oh i was just going to give you the trend de la creme link. :)
but i guess u found it already.

one day they'll appreciate bloggers.

[Skye]

Oops, then I take back my harsh words and re-direct my bitchy little diatribe to the PR agency!

[the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things]

Another fine example of the good ol' "So Sydney" adage. The plastic people in this town call only when they need something from you and leave you to your own devices when they've bled you dry. They are just downright rude and no amount of designer finery (acquired via lay-bys) can hide the fact that they've been brought up in barns. Before you "draw the line", maybe you should call your person at ZU since they've been supportive from Day #1? For all you know, they might not be aware of the fact that the Despot has not been invited.

[the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things]

Oh, and I'll make you all the mini smoked salmon pancakes/blinis/pikelets that you can eat. And many other canapes that will rival theirs many times over. x

[dapper kid]

Grrr they aren't very nice are they?!! Hope you get to bitch slap each and every one of them with some wonderful shoes. Annnd those sparkly dunlops looked crazy cool :)

[Lady Melbourne]

I assembled my taser army to take on J Simp and Papa Jo, they are at your beck and call my dear.
There is a line to draw and by god you get drawing like Mr. Squiggle- props are props no matter whether your blogging or your editing Vogue.
LM
x

[marmalade wombat]

I've been studying homicide (murder and involuntary manslaughter) for my class tomorrow. there's so much imeldarificness to catch up on. At this moment, allow me to say the following: (1) the feral cats (bushpigs etc) are at your disposal. (2) i'm sure my 3 hours of reading a uni textbook gives me the expertise to get you an acquittal should you ACCIDENTALLY CAUSE GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM/DEATH TO WANKER PUBLIC RELATIONS PEOPLE (I plan to use the defence of automatism or maybe provocation).
(3) have you seen the white canvas flats with patent leather detail stuck on so they look like oxfords/saddleshoes? i saw them at the sydney shoe store chain 'wanted'. will you enlighten us with your opinion?
(4) PR people are pooheads and more hopeless than a one legged man in an arse-kicking contest. xoxo

[super kawaii mama]

Ah Imelda. Here is the perfect chance to take a leaf from your husbands military book, and play on the strength in numbers. Mobilise the troops of the CIA-FLB, (I'm seeing potential in this acronym) and perhaps we will see some results.

[mica]

I found the photos very fitting for your post! I loved the ones over at Trend de la Creme too.

I think that this PR company really needs to sort themselves out - I mean how could you not invite Imelda to the preview of the shoe collection? I mean seriously?! Imelda IS shoes!!!
I wonder if they'll want to put this article in their monthly press clippings! haha.
You show them Imelda, I hope they come crawling back to you to say sorry...and offer you a generous discount or at least some free shoes for the offense they've caused :p

[Sal]

Is there still time to crash the event? (Are such events crashable?) Those PR loons clearly don't realize that they're fucking with the WRONG despot.

[francis girard]

oh god - is this what i have to look forward to on my return to the land of Oz? PR snobs? damn it I thought they only lived in W1 here in the UK. Go get em' Imelda x

[Danielle de la Mont]

*shakes fist in empathy* I'm all for the suggestion of Zu shoe offerings being made to the Queen for forgiveness. Love the Bordin photos by the way, I'd never heard of him prior to your post (further proof to the Zu idiots you are a good advertiser no?)

[enc]

It's clear that Imelda's clout and popularity can bring brands new and old to the forefront, so how can these shoe-company PR dopes miss the obvious?

SEND IMELDA INVITATIONS, people!

When they don't, the companies they represent clearly miss the chance for a LOT of exposure.

[Miss Glitzy]

Fuck them but not Guy Bourdin please!

[richel]

I like your writing style. It's biting and sharp, just what the world needs.

[Couture Carrie]

Funny story and very fitting pics to accompany - love it!!

[Prêt-à-Porter P]

i do like the madonna hollywood song she did to his pictures.

and dont let PR people get u down!

[Thomas]

In an effort to seem hip and cool companies will exploit bloggers up the wazu like there is no tomorrow for exploiting, but balk when it comes to dishing out real rewards other than the passing, "Uh...thanks. U rule teh internetz!"

Fuck these corporate bastards. Do not scorn us or we will sink you. (Inflated sense of own importance due to horrible lack of green vegetables.)

[Imelda Matt]

likkle - I'll take you up on that offer. I emailed my contact and the GM to say that I no longer wish to deal with their PR agency and would prefer to deal with someone in-house.

DK - I'd say they've just been bitch slapped!

LM - I'm rampaging for all of us...

WB -
(1) - thanks
(2) - You're hired
(3) - No but I will check them out today.
(4) - Agreed...lol

SKM - Yes, I need to sort out the Council and get the website up and running...I need more time in my day...ugh!

Mica - thanks, I wanted to lighten up my insane ranting with a bit of fun fashion. LOL...If they do (and lets pray the do) it would be too much for me to handle. I'll keep you posted!

Sal - NO! Unfortunately it was first thing in the morning. Normally I would have but this time I wanted to take a stand on the issue. It's been 9 months of dealing with these clowns (the PR, not ZU) and they still can't get it right!

FG - Yup!!!! But not to worry you'll have your taser heels!

ENC - and the other point I didn't make is I do this for the love of shoes.

Miss Glitzy - NEVER...I love Guy!

Richel - thanks!

CC - I thought the pic's might be a good idea!

PPP - I thought it was one her BEST clips and it was such a shame the Guy Bordin foundation kicked up such a stink!

Thomas - I've never thought of using my powers for evil...

[fashionherald]

wow, love it when you're angry and it produces hot photos, duran duran references and the above response "i've never thought of using my powers for evil..." Hahahaha! and the pr people are obvious morons-just like despots who represent themselves in front of the war crimes tribunal.

[Imelda Matt]

FH - Once I start rolling I can't stop...hahahaha I love you pick on my subtle Duran Duran references - I need to work more of them into my posts!

[Cheryl Pastor]

I love, love, love this post. The pictures were so appropriate for the mood you're in. It's one of the best I've read. Fabulistic!

How dare that snooty PR agency snub you of all people. They'll pay for it in the long run. I'm just now starting to contact certain designers for my blog and I hope to do as well as you have in the PR dept.

Have a great evening and thanks so much for dropping by. I truly consider it an honor.

[Lady Smaggle]

Oh honey pie! How terrible for you! What a huge mistake on their part though...

I mean don't they know who the fuck you are???

[modelizer]

Omgz I love Guy. My thesis teacher said I was a mini him because we have the same obsessions. Have you ever seen my proper fashion work? I did a mini shoe story. When I get more shoes, I'll be back on that grind hard.

Make PR companies send me samples to use. hahaha. I want to take them all down at this point, it's getting ridic.

[Imelda Matt]

CP - I'm glad you enjoyed and good luck!

Smaggle - LOL...more to the point don't they know I wear taser-heels!!!

Modelizer - It's a Guy Bordin love-in! I'd like to see more of your work, where can I find it????

[WJ]

Boycott ZU! Hooray! Well, one less shoe store for me to flash my Visa at. And Guy Bordin is amazing, I've been wanting to feature his works on my blog too, you beat me to the punch Imelda!

[modelizer]

www.julia-chesky.com

it's under my personal sites link thing on my blog. I'm clever like that. haha

[modelizer]

There's a whole site just for that too. hahaha

www.celeb-rated.com

it's all of my face. oo la la? not so much. haha

[Sister Wolf]

Can we all email the Trish Nichol agency and protest? Perhaps we can make them change their tune....I would love to lead the charge.

[Alya]

They just don't know the impact and influence of the blogs, and that's unfortunate for them.. Give them time and they'll be stuffing their sad little mouths with their shoes.

[The Seeker]

They don't know what they're missing!!!!!!

Great post.
xxxxxxx

[Pike]

Come on everyone, do you hear what hypocritically bitchy snobs you're being yourself?

The PR company fucked-up, yes. It's harder than you think getting an invite list together for an event.

No need for you to worry, though. After a post like this I don't think Trish Nicol will be inviting you to any future events. You might also want to think about the image your sending to other PR companies.

Too much trouble, risk and drama for the press you offer.

[becx]

Heel, Imelda, heel!

As a PR and blogger, I sympathise with both sides. However, unless you're willing to hot foot it over to the US of A with its hundreds of millions population, or a progressive city like Berlin, I'm afraid you need to accept the reality that blogging has not hit its straps here - YET.

This is due in no small part to a flaw among 'PR' practitioners, who continue to use the outmoded ad value equivalent measurement. Said monthly reports would thus count your post as, perhaps, $400 worth, while the Sydney Morning Herald might tally $15,000. Hypothetical dollars, of course. Given that these reports are how many 'PR' agencies justify their fees to clients, can you see why you're not at the top of the heap?

Further, if your relationship with this mob was as strong as you say, might you not have put in a call or email to nut it out rather than slagging them off to your millions, er-herm, of readers? We may not yet be social media savvy but I do believe most of us have telephones.

I realise it's more than a year since your post and hope you've found greater acceptance on guest lists since. But can I ask that if I ever leave you off one that you call me personally?

x

[Imelda Matt]

Becx -you make a valid point - it's interesting to note how quickly things have changed over the past 12 months. Most Australian PR's are quickly embracing social media and bloggers (and I've learnt to curb my 'merciless tongue tyranny')