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Posted by Ed Cotton
(3) Steven is a person with lots of requests and demands for his time, for interviews and other apperances.
He was all set to help out American Airlines and do an interview for their in-flight radio station.
I will let him tell the rest of the story...
"It’s rare that an interview request catches my attention. I got one today, though, that did. It read as follows:
My name is [REDACTED] and I am a independent producer for the special in-flight radio program “America’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs,” which will air worldwide on American Airlines’ “FORTUNE In-Flight Radio” Channel during the entire month of December 2007.
This special on-going radio series spotlights compelling profiles of innovators and entrepreneurs — from small businesses to large enterprises — the people and companies that make up the backbone of business in America and are rarely heard from. This show will feature stories of hope, ideas and success stories in ways you’ve never heard before.
I fly American Airlines quite a bit, I think to myself, and they have done some very nice things for me in the past. I wouldn’t mind helping them out. On the other hand, I turn down every interview, so I would need some compelling reason to do this one. Eventually, my thoughts turn to how infuriating it would be to all the economists and others who despise me to stumble accidentally onto the interview while relaxing on the airplane. I decide I will do it.
Then I read a little further:
Since we’re on deadline, we’re offering our last few spots on our December 2007 edition for only $3,995 (normally $6,995). Please note we are recording interviews no later than August 17th and due to our tight deadline, we need a commitment to secure your spot no later than Friday, July 27th.
What?! This is not an interview request, this is a sales pitch! They want me to hand over $3,995 (normally $6,995) for the privilege of doing it."
Posted by Ed Cotton