PETER SHANKMAN

My respect, pride, and six months severance to AOL France

The best thing that ever happened to me was getting my first job out of school at America Online. The second best thing was being laid off.

I watch this video and I salute every single person there. When we got let go, it was bittersweet. We didn’t know it was coming, which probably made the initial shock harder, but easier overall. These guys had time to prepare. And let me tell you, they did it with style.

I can’t stop watching this. I’m no longer crying, but I’m still watching, watching, and watching. This is truly, truly wonderful. All in one take!! Major props and respect to each and every employee, from a fellow AOL Veteran, circa 1995-1997. I wish each and every one of you the best.

Come join the AOL Online Reunion Group now – Keep in touch!

Enjoy the video made by AOL France. The password is aollover. Happy Friday.


L’amour a la francaise from pyc on Vimeo.

October 19th, 2007 10:15 PM
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Sad to hear about this but then again it’s typical of the corporate world.. then and now.
Would love to see the video. But what I find really interesting is your header commentary.

Considering I am NOT PR by any stretch though some have requested me to be– because of the way I think– I tend to agree that good pr people are stretching themselves and creating new ways of doing things and open to new ideas. They are open to being different, quirky, much less by the book (and toss that book out sometimes because it keeps you from CREATING )

I think I might start reading that blog which is why I am part of another PR group online because I need to learn how to better interface with PR because I am editorial– and given that typically those people who have pitched me just right.. I have gone the distance for their clients and more

so kudos on recognizing what needs to be done.. and see you on facebook

Chances are, we as publicists and as human beings, could stand to think a little different. A little more “weird.” A little less by the book, and a little more “out there.” We could probably stand to try things a little differently. Things that weren’t “done that way before” because “we’ve always done them that way before.” We could probably stand to break a rule or two. Perhaps I can offer a few ways to help us think – just a little bit differently. And that includes occasionally thinking about things that might not be 100% about PR.

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