LETTER
John Simon Daily would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the “Call It Spring” store opening on September 1st. Since the successful and highly publicized opening, a series of events have transpired behind the scenes between Shine Media PR and John Simon of John Simon Daily.
First and foremost, Shine Media Group hired John Simon to bring in bloggers for the event, which was done flawlessly. Over 100+ bloggers filled the Spring Shoes (sister company to Aldo Shoes) store at the Manhattan Mall in New York City. Bloggers tweeted during the event and wrote amazing articles about the grand opening. So you may ask, What was the problem? In series of emails and text messages from both Robyn and Mauricio Bouzas (President & Vice President of Shine Media PR), expressed how extremely angry and upset they are because “bloggers were thanking John Simon and not Shine Media PR” and to my surprise, they blamed me. Why am I to blame because of what someone else writes on their blog? (A question that Shine has yet to answer). Shouldn’t a Public Relations firm be asking themselves why they failed so miserably?
As the social media expert, I brought in at least 80% (if not more) of the guests at the Spring Shoes store opening in less than 2 weeks! In addition, Robyn Bouzas asked me to be the photographer at the event five hours before the event began. I happily agreed and they did not even had the courtesy to offer me any additional compensation. Shine Media PR has never publicly thanked or acknowledged me for the successful event. They didn’t even bother to introduce me to Spring Shoes PR Director Effie Giannou. Perhaps they wanted to take credit for my hard work? To add fuel to the fire: Shine Media PR has taken upon themselves to shamefully send a email to bloggers that mentioned John Simon. The email was titled: “Huge Favor :-)”:
Hi,
Hope you’re doing great.
We love your blog post but would highly appreciate it if you stated that this event was hosted by Shine Media PR and Call It Spring.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks a million
Shine Media PR
How embarrassing…this email prompted a response from one blogger that said, “I meant to ask you about this! When I put the post up, they [Shine Media PR] hounded me about including you. SMH [Shake my head] this is ridiculous!” I couldn’t agree more! Besides what PR is thanked or mentioned in any post event coverage? In a email to me, Mrs. Bouzas bragged that she had ten years of PR experience, which I find extremely hard to believe. Mr. and Mrs. Bouzas would know that any event is suppose to be about the brand not the PR firm and frankly how to be more professional. I have never in my life dealt with this kind of unprofessional behavior.
It’s time that Shine Media PR takes responsibility for their actions and gives credit where it’s owed and point the finger at themselves, not John Simon. Am I supposed to apologize because my fellow blogging community is thanking me for inviting them to a massive event? Absolutely not! We are constantly ignored and shut out by print magazines and PR firms. Shine Media PR needs to learn that we have the right to thank whomever we want, so I ask that they seek professional media training and get a clue. When word got out about this unfortunate situation, it prompted an immediate reaction from the blogging community. I have received several emails of support:
“No one even knows Shine Media, but we ALL KNOW & LOVE JOHN ;)”
“Haters!!!!! U were the reason we came…Well I haven’t done my post but when I do I’m thanking u”
“we love you john!!!!!!”
“Hi John,Thanks again for inviting me to the shoe party. I guess others did, but didn’t mention your name in the post. I only mentioned the gift card. Too bad Shine Media has a attitude. I thought you were going to say they were upset that I politely said that Spring Shoes suck 🙂 My friend….really expressed how cheaply made she thinks the shoes are.”
“Hi John,
Tough break with Shine.
Let me know if you ever need anything.”
“Seriously? That’s kind of fucked up.”
“Hi John,
Just wanted to thank you again for the invite to the Spring store opening. I can’t believe how Shine PR reacted, that’s totally not acceptable. Please keep in touch and let me know if there is anything I can help with!”
THANK YOU to everyone that have support me and JohnSimonDaily.com! With success comes negativity and “haters”. I just wanted to simply set the record straight and put an end to the rumors. Although I am not at fault, I have tried to make amends with Shine Media PR before it got to this point but Mr. and Mrs. Bouzas cowardly make excuses not to meet; but, they insist on insulting me through emails and text message after business hours. As of today, I can confirm that Shine Media PR has removed us from their email list and no longer invite us to events. How selfish of them! However, John Simon or JohnSimonDaily.com contributors will never attend a Shine Media PR event or promote any of their clients again. Shine Media PR you wanted press coverage, here it is.
John Simon
Editor-in-Chief
JohnSimonDaily.com
P.S. I have chosen to protect the identity ofthe bloggers for fear that they will get the same mistreatment from Shine Media PR.
Below, check out images (personally taken by me) from the Call It Spring store opening!
10 comments
John we spoke briefly when I helped them set up their entire social media presence. Not only were you helpful but sweet and patient. I’m not surprised by your blog but disappointed that this has happened to you, a friend of the company. It will all work out. We all know the work you have done and the love you gave. You rock sweet heart!!
Once again, THANK YOU to everyone for your support. LOVE YOU ALL
Not only is John Simon one of the top 10 bloggers in New York City; he is also one of the first people I call upon when planning an event. Back in June of this year, without John’s expertise and years of PR experience, I would have never been able to pull off my website’s anniversary event. He did everything from assist with pulling in major national sponsors, to coordinating gift bags, to pulling looks for the mannequins at the showroom venue. I think it’s safe to say John Simon as a PR professional (who just so happens to run a successful website), goes above and beyond the call of duty. Let this be a wake-up call to companies looking to work with him in the future… please review his media kit and resume! John Simon is more than qualified to execute these types of events. I am offended on his behalf that his integrity was ever questioned.
Uhhhhhh Shine Media who?! Don’t one monkey stop no show! Sweetheart take a bow! Bravo! This article displays you are doing a GREAT job. Your resume speaks for itself. You have built this empire from the ground up! You have sacrificed MANY MANY hours, lost sleep, & lost wages to get where you are. I am SOOOO proud of you. They contacted you BECAUSE they heard you are the best so take your title & wear it proudly.
JSD.
I know sometime your efforts might go unrecognized by some, but just know that there are a lot of us who appreciate your efforts. As a faithful daily reader of your site, I enjoy the wealth of fashion knowledge that you bring into my life. I look forward to your unbiased professionalism that you bring towards new companies, as well as your fashion forward outlook on the newest and hottest trends. Keep doing the job that you have such a natural knack for, while holding your head up high. The slanderous behavior of some firms will not take away from your upstanding reputation. If they have to stoop to this sort of level to garner more publicity for their agency, shame on them! I can’t believe how unprofessional and frankly childish they are. Why should they get validation for the hard work and efforts that your peers also recognized? I guarantee, after their next FAILED event, they will be begging for JSD’s help!
Keep up the good work!
Many thanks from the California Blogosphere,
Fre
Wow! Good thing u asked me to revise my post. Naturally I felt oblige to thank you for the invite and to applaud u for the amazing work pulled at this event. Unfortunately, how can we thank someone that we didn’t even knew existed. Usually in reviews you rarely thank the PR agencies, it’s usually the brand and whoever invites you. They must really be dying for some publicity. A PR agency’s work should speak for itself without the extra publicity. That’s sad. Much success to you! See this as just another, tiny bump in the road. Xoxo, Arie
I have known you for many years and have had the pleasure not only working with JSD but also attending events you have organized. I know for a fact that you are extremely professional and all about business. I didn’t get the chance to attend this particular event, but know that people will thank those they feel are responsible for the event. From a blogging stand point… we can only write about what we know and see and express our feelings. They can’t fault bloggers for giving credit to who invited them to the event. Anyone who is familiar with Emily Post knows that it is proper etiquette to thank the host of a party. Maybe Sunshine Media needs to rethink what P.R. is and what position they want to take when working with clients. If they want credit from the public… maybe they should work more directly with the public, and then the public will give them credit.
I am truly shocked by the antics of these so-called professionals. Since when is the firm more important than the client? I’ve gone to many events as a blogger and rarely (if ever) include the PR firm in my writeup, not out of rudeness but because the event is supposed to showcase the goods or services of the PR firm’s client,not the firm itself. Also, why would a firm whose sole existence is to creste a profitable. marketable, brand or image not be concerend about there own?…
I didn’t make it to the event, but I’m sure it was amazing (like all your stuff is)!!!!!!!!
Don’t let Ren and Stempy get to you! They deserve to be called out on their childlike behavior.
Keep it up JS!
John, I do want to again thank you for the invite to the event. I was bragging as to how successful the event had been, what an amazing turnout. It was the fact that so many bloggers and fashionistas were in attendance that made the event such an enjoyable one. I was particularly curious as to who was in charge of the mailing list for this invite because whoever did had done such an amazing job. I was very turned off when i received that email from SHINE MEDIA PR and i believe you deserve the credit for what you did. This blog spot cleared a lot of consufion i had, and i think it was well over due from your part. I have only attended one event and i could already tell you are amazing at what you do, dont let anyone step all over you or belittle your work. I look forward to reconnecting with you in future events.
Take Care,
Isamar Avery
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