No one likes spam in any form, but when it comes from a company you already work with, it becomes doubly annoying. Apparently, Parrot hired Feed Company to spam spread the word about an upcoming law in California prohibiting the use of cell phone while driving.

So out of the blue, I get an instant message from moshighzero asking “would you be interested in traffic exchange?” (read chat transcript below). So long story short, it took nearly five minutes before I figured out what this dude wanted and who had hired him to spread the video below. I’ve fired off a couple of emails to Parrot, asking them to comment on this tactic to reach publishers - and I’m waiting for their responses.

So who is Feed Company? Well the folks at Feed claim they’re the leader for seeding videos on the Web for major brand advertisers in the U.S. They “employ innovative marketing tactics and tools to get your brand videos exposed to popular blogs, video sites, and social networks.” Since when is spamming considered innovative marketing? NEVER! To Feed’s credit, they do have some big name clients ranging from Samsung, Intel, Neutrogena to GM. It’s a big shame that this recent experience with one of their reps left a really bad taste in my mouth.

(CAUTION: Video contains vulgarity, violence and NOT to mention boat loads of stupidity.)

4:23
moshighzero
hi, would you be interested in traffic exchange?
4:23
Vincent
sorry we dont
link outside the network
4:23
moshighzero
cool
i want to send traffic to your site
for a tech and gadget review
4:24
Vincent
appreciate it but it’s been our policy
4:24
moshighzero
media spend?
sponsored post?
I work for a video marketing company out here in Los Angeles
We get great content that we look to get hosted on niche sites that fit the demo
4:26
Vincent
im not sure what it is your
you’re asking?
are you asking to exchange links on our sites?
4:26
moshighzero
i aqm asking….
4:26
Vincent
if so, we do not exchange links
4:27
moshighzero
don’t want to exchange links
sir
4:28
Vincent
so what is it you’re looking to do?
4:29
moshighzero
i’m looking for you to do a write up on a tech just released on the market, in time for the new law out here in California.
Law that you cant drive while using your cell phone
4:30
Vincent
what is it?
just come out and say it
4:30
moshighzero
Parrot
4:30
Vincent
we’ve worked with parrot in the past
which product is it?
4:30
moshighzero
xxx
password: xxx
4:30
Vincent
are you their
agent or pr firm?
the post is password protected
4:31
moshighzero
password: Blutooth
Bluetooth
sorry
4:31
Vincent
so if this is your intent
why do you start the conversation with:
moshighzero
hi, would you be interested in traffic exchange?
it makes no sense to me
usually i would block you by now
and if you’re with parrot
i’d email hq and complain about you already
i know the folks at parrot very well
4:32
moshighzero
we are online marketing company hired by parrot to reach out to blogs
4:32
Vincent
this is a pretty dumb video
ill make sure this conversation gets to ed
4:33
moshighzero
well, thats the video they made sir.
4:33
Vincent
well they’ll get feedback from me
4:33
moshighzero
i have no intent to piss anyone of, was just outreaching
4:33
Vincent
your approach needs to be better
moshighzero
hi, would you be interested in traffic exchange?
that’s a misleading approach
esp with someone that’s very familiar with parrot
Nicolas Halftermeyer
he’s out paris
4:34
moshighzero
sure, i apologize I was just trying to get ur attention
4:34
Vincent
and will make sure he knows about this conversation
if you’re representing parrot and they are paying you
this is going to do them a HUGE disservice!
4:35
moshighzero
I had no intent to misrepresent anybody
4:35
Vincent
we’re all busy
and this is a waste of my time
next just send me an email
4:35
moshighzero
sorry about that sir