PETER SHANKMAN
| POSTED ON June 10th, 2010 | 147 COMMENTS | + ADD YOUR COMMENT |
I am beyond thrilled to announce that HARO, my baby, what I started in November of 2007 as a FACEBOOK GROUP, with NO idea what it would eventually become, has been acquired by Vocus, Inc. It is a GREAT day!
As you’ll see in the video below, NOTHING CHANGES. HARO will still be free. You’ll still get the most helpful media queries in the world, three times a day, right to your inbox. I’ll still be running HARO, and still writing the ads, and updating you with my little blurbs each day.
But… Great things will now be able to happen. We’ll have a kick-ass infrastructure, which will allow us to grow HARO better than ever before. Different countries. More lists. Breaking news queries! You name it. It’s gonna be an AMAZING ride.
To everyone who has EVER used HARO in any capacity whatsoever, I say THANK YOU! It’s because of YOU that HARO has grown to what it is, and I’m just beyond excited that Vocus saw that, saw my vision, saw YOUR vision, and wants to help me take it to the next level.
From a Facebook group with two overweight cats, to a 100k+ person mailing list used by thousands upon thousands of journalists and sources, (and with two now more slightly overweight cats,) this has been one HELL of a ride. I can’t wait to see where we go next.
And of course, Meagan, Mike, and Laura, I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I love you guys.
Can I get a WOOT!!
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You can get a double WOOT! So deserved Peter, thank you for all that you Megan, Laura and Mike do, we love you! |
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Congratulations! |
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Congratulations–you created this with nothing but good ideas, talent and drive. And love. Thank you so much and yes, WOOT! |
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Wow! And a WOOT! Congrats to the HARO team, and most importantly, thank you for your ongoing commitment to those who have come to love HARO. Thrilled for the news, and even more thrilled it sounds like while HARO will be even better than it is now (hard to imagine!) you will continue to offer the support, service and opportunities that have always made HARO my favorite tool. Congrats and Thank you for all you do! |
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Congratulations. It’s because of HARO that I have some great content on my web site with articles within which I was quoted. Thanks. |
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That’s great Peter. Congratulations! You’ve earned this excitement. |
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This is simply outstanding news, Peter. Hearty and heartfelt congratulations to the entire team. This is an enormous win for Vocus and just a great result for the nicest man in the world – and the bestest team in the world. Just one question: why are there sheets on that couch? Literally getting into bed together? |
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Congratulations, Peter! What an amazing example of what happens when you take the bull by the horns and make stuff happen. Love it! |
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Woot-Woot!! Congrats Peter-and thanks for getting Carry-Her some awesome press!! Reach for the sky Mr. Skydiver!! :) |
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Congratulations Peter! Wishing you continued success. A long time member of the HARO family I selfishly hope that the philosophy and integrity of HARO remain the same! |
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This is awesome! For everyone. Congratulations to Peter, Meagan, Mike, and Laura, Vocus, and the 1000s who use/peruse HARO (me included!!). Peter, this means you have more time for training and (fingers-crossed) a nonpretentious mix tape, right? WOOT! |
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Peter, it’s great to know thtaat you have been rewarded for your remarkable contributions to the success of so many PR firms (including ours) and journalists! |
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congrats peter! nice to know that hard work and ingenuity pays off in the end. |
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Woot!! Congratulations. HARO is a great resource, keep up the good work! What an exciting example of how a simple idea can grow to affect multitudes of people in such positive ways. |
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Congratulations, Peter! Wonderful news — just want to thank you for HARO and the role that it has played in expanding my firm’s horizons, thank you! All the best from your Boca running buddy. |
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Nothings going to change? I’ll bet you just lost 80+% of your non-VOCUS ad revenues. |
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Congratulations Peter!!! Well deserved! HARO is a great tool and has helped myself and my colleagues in landing many successful placements for our clients. |
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Congratulations, Peter! What a wonderful outcome: more resources and your continued involvement, too. |
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Congrats Peter! Any word yet on Chris going skydiving with you? I’ve offered to help him lose weight if that’s the only thing stopping him… Congrats again on the exciting news! |
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One small step for fat cats, one giant leap for people. Seriously, good stuff. Major congrats on such a BIG accomplishment. |
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Woot, woot, indeed!!! Congrats to you and the HARO family (cats included!) Truly inspiring, Peter! |
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Absolutely fantastic – you enthusiasm is contagious. Woot Woot! |
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As a long-time HARO advertiser, we’ve seen the benefit of HARO for driving interest in our AwardSync (www.awardsync.com) offering. Congrats to you and your team Peter. You discovered a niche and filled it. Well done! |
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What a great combination. Congrats to you Peter and to the team at Vocus. Looking forward to “Great things will now be able to happen”! |
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Peter, Congrats. Way to go! As a small non-profit patient advocacy organization, we greatly appreciate having been along on the ride and having benefited so much from HARO both as sources and journalists. We’ll be there with you on the next phase of the journey. Woot! |
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Congratulations to you, Peter! You do great work and deserve all the best. |
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Congrats – it is what every person wants in their small business. PRISSAM is celebrating their 2nd anniversary today and we always say it is about ‘looking at life in a different perspective’ and you certainly did – - |
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What a fantastic new chapter to the HARO story. Congratulations to everyone. |
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WOOT WOOT! Congrats Peter! And you have an AMAZING view from your window. Wow! :) |
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Congratulations Peter! This is truly a big next step for HARO and I wish you and your team much continued success!! |
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Peter! Congratulations, I am so very happy for you. You are such a brilliant man, this is great. |
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Peter, congrats! It’s inspiring to see and be a part of a real life case study for entrepreneurial success. Can’t wait to see what happens when your ‘baby’ goes off to college. |
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Wishing you all the best! huge congratulations. you deserve all this success. no one works harder. :) cheers!! |
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Congrats Peter! You’ve created an incredible service that has served both us and our clients very well. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for HARO! |
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Woot-woot! Holy crap, what great news! I feel priviledged to have benefitted from your service and can’t wait to see what’s next! Congrats Peter — and the two cats, Megan, Mike & Laura. You guys rock! |
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Woooooot! From your southernmost admirers and users Thanks Peter! Great Run and Congrats! |
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Peter, that is amazing!!! WOOOOOT!!! Congratulations to you, Meagan, Mike and Laura–so much deserved! |
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So proud and happy for YOU! Peter – build it and they will come! Continue soaring! |
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You have pulled this reporters feet out of the fire several times and I more than appreciate it. Congratulations – and I just hope you are right that nothing will change. |
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So great, Peter! Thanks so much for HARO; my clients and I have gotten so much press over the last couple of years because of you and your baby! Woot! |
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Peter- Mazel Tov! You deserve this and much more! go relax a bit… and get that next book contract penned about how you pulled this off! :) |
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Peter, congrats!! You definitely must be soaring on cloud nine and you’re not even at a drop zone! All the best … |
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You can get a woot woot! Thanks for the inspiration and for not changing a thing! |
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What’s my day like without HARO? I wouldn’t know. Great service! Great people working behind the scenes! Cheers! |
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Well-deserved Peter for you and your team!!! I can’t imagine it happening to anyone nicer. May it be a harbinger of many great things for you this year. Ironman anyone? Woot-tastic!! Best, Patty |
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HARO is BOLD, AMAZING and PREPARED, ALWAYS a part of our weekdays, 3 X a day (http://www.facebook.com/vickie.oldham; http://review.fvsu.edu) What kind of camera did u use for the embedded video announcement? |
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Great news for you guys — I just joined yesterday, so I don’t have much of a relationship with you guys yet, but it’s always nice to see people succeed as they do the right thing. Congrats! :) |
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Congrats, Peter! Well deserved and very happy for you and the folks at Vocus! |
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Peter–Congratulations once again on creating a great service and brand. Looking forward to our collaboration! |
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Hi Peter, I’ve never been to your site before, but saw this link floating around on my Twitter feed. Want to say congratulations, but also just want to tell you that your personality and energy in this video (and I’m sure always) is absolutely INFECTIOUS! I love it! Definitely going to look into HARO now. Congratulations once again! |
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Wow. Congrat Peter. Two great companies. Love you both. Look forward to great things moving forward. –Lee p.s. BTW THANK YOU for adding a biotech/healthcare category! Much loved. |
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Congratulations to everyone at HARO! Keep up the great work. |
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Congrats on the successful sale. So glad to see great work rewarded. HARO was a great service. Thanks so much for all the entertaining emails and the great pr opportunities. |
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WOOT indeed my friend! I couldn’t be happier for you + the whole HARO crew. Congratulations on an incredibly deserved endorsement for all your creativity and hard work. Blue skies!! xoxoxo |
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Yes you can! Woot! Woot! Woot! Congrats on the sale; it’s awesome news and a great reward for your hard work in building HARO. |
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Congrats and Woot! I’ve been with HARO since the Facebook days and remember the big deal when there were 10K subscribers on the list! Blue skies and all the best to you and the HARO team. |
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Congratulations Peter. I am so excited for you, but glad for us that you will still be involved!!! |
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Congrats, Peter! I get the feeling I’m one of your top freelancers in terms of HARO usage! It’s a great service. |
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Congratulations, Peter – HARO really is an American small business success story! I’m happy for you and everyone at HARO… and particularly that you’ll still be at the helm. VOCUS is a great company, but your style, personality and commitment to providing a much-needed service at a price everyone loves… lol… is what makes HARO so awesome! Best wishes to you and your staff! |
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I would have commented sooner, but I had my heart set on being comment 100. Congrats on your success Peter. Good to see you in DC. JP |
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Many congrats, Peter! Thanks for making a great resource for all of us–and as a freelancer, appreciate the staying free part! Can’t wait to see it in full swing! Again, congrats! |
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WOOT! WOOT! WOOT! Big congratulations to you Peter and everyone at HARO! |
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AWESOME news, Peter! Big time congrats! You’re publication and service is already fantastic, I can’t wait to see how it’s going to get even better. |
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Congrats!! Vocus is an awesome company and they seem to be doing a lot of great things!! Great to hear they aren’t changing anything too! |
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Woot! Woot! Congrats Peter! Nice Job Vocus. (Are you two sitting on an unmade bed?) :) |
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Peter – Woot x infinity!!!! And a cha-ching to boot!! Congratulations on landing the big one!!! Love seeing someone’s hard work pay off!! Thrilled to see this happen as well as to have been there early on. |
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Awesome Peter! |
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Here is your well deserved Woot! Could not have happened to a nicer guy. My warmest congratulations Peter! |
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BIG congrats Peter. Onward and upward is always a GOOD THING! Like this logo/header. Pic captures you. Celebrate. |
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Super congratulations, Peter. Great news for a great guy. Caviar for the cats!!! |
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I can’t wait to see this ! :) Chris’ video is funny – can’t wait to see how you will ‘edit’ the jump and decent ! |
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WOOT WOOT!! Congrats HARO team!! :) Thanks for keeping it real in the vid and protecting us against charges hee hee :) |
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Congratulations Peter. You deserve it!!! What an amazing ride !!! From Your biggest fan from Canada !!! Nelson Hudes |
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Oodles of WOOT! Your energy is contagious! Congratulations! :) |
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Congrats on your success, looking forward to seeing what’s in store. |
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WOOT CONGRATS! |
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Congrats to you and your team. Well deserved! Just read your book, and what a great read! You continue to inspire! |
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Well deserved Peter. HARO is a perfect example of an everyone-wins type product and it is great to see these types of products making it big. Awesome to you and your team. |
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Comment number 127! Damn dude look at all the love for you. That says a lot about your character and who you are. Congrats again and its been great connecting. |
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All the best to you Peter! You deserve this~ you are the hardest working man in |
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This is a great example of what great things can happen with a great idea and a LOT of hard work. And I need an new adjective to replace great. WOOT! |
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Hey this is a great service brought to you bay bunch of hard working folks thanks a bunch |
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WOOT! Congratulations, and now’s the time to break out the primo catnip for KARMA and NASA! Cheers! |
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As an entrepreneur it’s really inspiring to hear stories like this. So awesome, congratulations! |
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