Butterworth On the News: And Silliness in the Mainstream Media

by Jay Thompson on July 16, 2008 · Comments

in Phoenix News & Events, Phoenix Real Estate

Chris ch3

Yesterday, Kristine Harrington with Channel 3 News called and asked if I was available for an interview — in an hour. I was with clients, but Chris Butterworth was free for the moment.

Chris, of The Butterworth Group at Thompson’s Realty, shifted plans and met the deadline.

And he did a great job!

Sadly, the editors of the segment neglected to mention Chris’ last name, or his group and brokerage. That kinda stinks. Chris dropped everything to meet their time line. Seems the least they could have done was give him a little credit. They sure didn’t forget the subtitle on the reporters name.

Oh the whims of the mainstream media…..

AZFamily.com also doesn’t allow videos to be embedded, but click on Chris’ smiling face above and you can view the clip.

And be prepared of course for the focus on falling prices and foreclosures — with nary a mention of previous years of a historic run-up in appreciation.


 

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  • Interesting, not even a yard sign?!? I would be furious!
  • Thanks for posting this, Jay.

    Steve - that's a valid point, but to be fair to Kristine (the reporter), the timing was perfect when she called; I only had a couple of free hours and she agreed to drive out to my side of town. I just closed escrow last week on both of my listings over here, and I have one that's about to go up (no yard sign yet!) But I thought it would be interesting, and being on the news would be worth it, even without a yard sign. So I opted to postition us in front of a friend's house to try to help him out (and then he ended up on camera, too!)

    I do wish they had made a proper introduction, or better yet used a screen graphic with our website address...
  • I wonder if you contacted them, if they would air an apology and give a little more information, or post your information on their website. Seems like the only fair thing to do.

    steamboat
  • Katherine Gleason
    Chris did an excellent job there!! It's a shame he (and the brokerage) didn't get proper mention.

    BTW...love your blog.
  • Great article - I blog on a similar website here in sunny Florida.
  • THANKS for posting the link - I missed the news last night. Total bummer about them not mentioning Chris & the brokerage. I'm pissed. I emailed the reporter to say thanks for doing the story and we're glad to help you out but could ya have remembered to make sure your editing room credited Chris? Anyway, it's cool to have a face on the news. Way to go, Chris!
  • That was great to get on TV, but the media needs to return the favor. They used the professional opion of Chris but didn't return the favor by letting him get some publicity in return. It's no different then when a hollywood actor is on Jay Leno, they are doing Jay a favor by coming on the show, but then Jay returns the favor by letting them advertise their latest movie or soundtrack. I think that was just rude.
  • I agree that it's just not right, and bordering on rude (ok, it crosses that border). But I doubt they did it intentionally. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, until proven otherwise.

    The important thing was Chris got some great experience. It's not easy being in front of a camera talking to the media. (says he who has done it a whole three times)

    There will be other opportunities, I assure you.

    @Heather, it'll be interesting to see if they respond to your email. Or my voice mail...

    @Katherine - Thanks!! Glad you enjoy it.
  • Jay I think you are being to nice. Each time we have dealt with the media they always happen to forget to add any contact information for us. It gets really old...actually I no longer bother to help them. If they can't provide me with something in writing stating that my website will be included as contact information then I have no interest.
  • Chris,

    It was great to see you on 3tv -- you did a fine job!

    We miss you at HomeSmart & Dan Schwartz Realty!

    And that does stink that they did not list your name or blog when you were on camera or even that your signs were not shown...you do such a unique sign and post, it was worth showing...our signs were seen quite a bit in the story...go figure.

    Jim

    Again nicely done
  • @Ken - you're probably right, I'm being too nice. That there was no return call to me, and I don't think Heather got a return email, speaks volumes.

    The least they could have done was call Chris and apologize. Maybe that happened, but somehow I doubt it...

    @Jim - as you know, Chris is a great guy. We feel lucky to have him as part of our team.
  • The funny thing is not but an hour after posting that comment a reporter from the Chicago Tribune called. I did a blog post about how gas prices are effecting buying decisions and it has generated calls from 4 calls from reporters, none of which have been willing to give me proper credit. So none of them have gotten anything out of me. Funny thing is I could give them the entire story laid out on a silver platter, but they refuse to put it in writing that they will give proper credit.
  • Jay & Heather - the reporter emailed me to apologize. She'll see if she can get anything added to the website, and she promised to take better care of us next time.

    Ken & Northview MI - I totally agree, except that not everyone stands on a level field. The first couple of times you get quoted it helps your marketing & reputation, so you gain more than the reporter. After that, though, you stand to help them more than they help you, so proper credit would be more required.

    Jim - great to hear from you! Hope all is good.
  • Great to hear Chris!

    "and she promised to take better care of us next time"

    And I suspect there will be a next time!

    I've only been on the local news three times, but all three times they said my full name and had a "crawler" or label at the bottom of the screen with my name and brokerage.

    Been in local and national print publications many times and have never had a problem with proper attribution. They are hesitant to publish links it seems, but depending on the story and where it's published, there is no question that it can drive traffic to the site and even make the phone ring. If people see, hear or read "Jay Thompson" it's not that hard to go to Google and find me. Enough do to make it more than worth it.

    It's also a "feather in your cap" in things like listing presentations.

    I actually enjoy talking to the media. I know some people despise it.
  • Chris - Of the time the local media has used me as a resource I have had them put the wrong brokerage name up on the TV, and each time in print it turns into a "local Realtor stated" or "Ken Smith, a local Realtor, stated". My experience has been awful with the papers and nearly as bad with the news stations for giving proper credit. Hope that next time they take better care of you.

    Jay - It is only useful for traffic or calls if they give enough information that they can find you. Plus Ken Smith isn't exactly an uncommon name, but my site now sits in the top 5 in google for my name so it might be better now then in the past.
  • "Ken Smith isn’t exactly an uncommon name"

    Good point.

    "but my site now sits in the top 5 in google for my name"

    Hey, you rank higher than the Ken Smith that is in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives! (and more importantly at least you are the highest ranked real estate agent named Ken Smith - Nice work!!)

    *cute* kid by the way!
  • "*cute* kid by the way!"

    Thanks. Naturally I am a little biased, but she is really is a cute.
  • TERRIBLE -

    That's an opportunity many people only hope for, and they screw it up - just terrible.

    He did a good job too, as you mentioned, would have been a nice plug for the new company. Sorry Jay, send me a 500x82 banner and I'll throw it up on our site for a few.
  • Ken - "but my site now sits in the top 5 in google for my name." I think you answered your own unasked question.. The power of the blog! Once you're at/near the top on google, all they need to do is get your name right & people will find you. Where you rank for your own name on google changes your perspective, outlook, and marketing options...

    (unfortunately for me, they didn't get my full name on this one. Doh!)
  • Chris the rankings have nothing to do with my site using wordpress as it's CMS. It has to do with all the links pointing at the site with my name...comment links, and the authority of the domain.
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