Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

Dubinsky & Fox News Fubar

PDABuzz picked up on an interview between Donna Dubinsky and cough overly conservative cough Fox News. Apparently, it went badly enough for Alan Bush to send a nasty email to them. I don't know... Dubinsky should have handled that a bit better, I think. But then again, I'm no fan of Fox news (although I'm glad they exist, it bothers me that they've somehow managed to get people to say they're nonbiased.)

Thought the primarily Visor board should have a crack at it.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

Re: Dubinsky & Fox News Fubar

quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn
PDABuzz picked up on an interview between Donna Dubinsky and cough overly conservative cough Fox News. Apparently, it went badly enough for Alan Bush to send a nasty email to them. I don't know... Dubinsky should have handled that a bit better, I think. But then again, I'm no fan of Fox news (although I'm glad they exist, it bothers me that they've somehow managed to get people to say they're nonbiased.)

Thought the primarily Visor board should have a crack at it.

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Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 366

Personally, Donna should have handled herself a lot better during the interview. Handpsring's response was also a tad amateurish. Neil Cavuto can do that to guests sometimes but thats how tough reporting gets done, asking the tough questions and not throwing softball ones.

Fox News I think is a great news channel. A tad biased, but it is a lot better than MSNBC. And to think there was a time when I couldn't wait to get MSNBC on cable

Jason

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Registered: Mar 2001
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Hmmm...

From what you all have said so far, I was expecting a longer interview. While Neil could have asked his questions a tad more politely, I don't feel that he came across like a jerk. Some of the questions he asked and the way he asked them were actually funny.

And you're right, Donna didn't seem prepared to handle an interview of that sort.

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Posts: 51

What the hell kind of comment is "whoopdee-doo"? Thats kind of childish and un-professional if you ask me.

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 366

Rereading the interview (hey its been a few weeks since she was on), it make me think more and more that Donna was really unprepared for many of the questions that she should have expepected such as the Treo comparisons to the Samsung Palm/Phone. And way to many "you know"s. Cavuto wasn't being a jerk, he was asking the questions most would ask of her. Remember, this was not a technology-news oriented show. Cavuto's a business show. Many of these questions linger over those who own Handspring stock. As far as childish, you should watch his show more. he is like that.

Jason

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Posts: 51

Yeah, I can't say I have ever seen his show. Not sure I want too after reading that interview.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

I really like Cavuto and I think he made some incredibly valid points in the interview.

The Treo isn't anything new. Yea, it's a different form factor, but, unfortunately, most john doe consumers don't place that as a high priority (even though they should).

From the interview, Donna made it sounds like the ONLY differences that can be found with the Treo are the fact that it is a bit smaller and 6 months late to market.

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Registered: Jun 2001
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I didn't see the interview. I have only read the transcript. From the text, it is clear the interviewer was not interested in an informational dialogue. It was a pre-meditated ambush.
To some degree, a company who has been weakened (as of late) like Handspring will be targeted.

I disagree with many of the other replies that complain Dubinsky did not handle herself well. (From my read of the text) she deflected every attempt to provoke an argument and stayed with her message that the devise IS different and better.

In addition, the subsequent e-mail seemed appropriate to me, though a phone call would have kept it out of print.

Why would Handspring again send a target for that interviewer to take pot shots at?

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
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quote:

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Originally posted by homer
The Treo isn't anything new. Yea, it's a different form factor, but, unfortunately, most john doe consumers don't place that as a high priority (even though they should).

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
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I think the interviewer had some good questions considering that it was a business-oriented program.

The point about the lateness to market is perfectly valid- what does the Treo offer that makes it worth waiting for? I am sure there ARE things worth it, but she did not articulate them very well.

Differences between the Treo and other already available units? This is important to anyone trying ot figure out whether to buy a Treo or to invest in Handspring, and again, she did not answer very well.

The point about whether Palm OS is fading is something analysts have been debating for some time- we have even discussed it here.

I was a bit disappointed in Donna's replies- someone in her position going on a business-oriented program to hype a new product should have been more ready to wow the interviewer- UNLESS she was told and prepared for a totally different tack.

I was REALLY disappointed in the email sent by Steve. At least Donna MIGHT have been rattled by the live format. Steve had the chance to think about what he said, and I think he took the wrong approach. I agree that there is a definite childishness to his reply. It seems short-sighted to tell someone who could help your company that you don't want to talk to them anymore.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

With every one of Donna's answers I read, I kept remembering a comment made by an English professor during a lecture. He said "Never try to hold an intelligent conversation with someone who starts their sentences with 'Like...' or 'You know....'".

I think Cavuto could have been a bit less venomous, but in general he had some valid questions and comments. Donna sounded like she was reading from a script.

As for the Treo, I wish Handspring the best of luck, but I agree with Cavuto; It's a day late and a buck short.

IMHO, as always.

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Registered: Jan 2000
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quote:

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and stayed with her message that the devise IS different and better.

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quote:

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Originally posted by homer
HOW is it different? HOW is it better? She did NOT address that at all other than saying it is a bit smaller than the competition.
That is a very valid question that Donna had no answer to.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Kingston
Posts: 15

Reading that interview left a bad taste in my mouth. Neil Cavuto was totally unprofessional and as a journalist he should be ashamed with his actions. Ms. Dubinsky handled herself well under the circumstances. She stuck to her material which prevented this from becoming a total pr fiasco. The follow up email was appropriate and classy. I'm proud to be a customer of a company that handles itself accordingly while others are being irresponsible and stupid. But thats just my two cents.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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Neil Cavuto was totally unprofessional and as a journalist he should be ashamed with his actions.

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quote:

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Originally posted by homer
How so? He's a reports for business matters. People watch the show to see how companies are doing. His quesitons were direct and to the point.

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Fox News is looking to get the reputation of being harda$$es. They're doing this to garner the aging white male boomer demographic, which is why they're also right-leaning. It's amazing how quickly it has grown and become legitimized (more so than MSNBC). I guess the cousin of one of their execs should be thanked for proclaiming to the world that it was the network that was on in his house.

He was a "jerk" because his viewers get their rocks off from being "tough business people" and he lets them live vicariously through him. It's the same thing Rush Limbaugh does. It's the same thing left wing pinko journalists do for their demographic.

What shocks me is that Donna Dubinsky, who has "more than 10 years of marketing and logistics experience from Apple and Claris." failed to understand that the media outlets she's facing have a vested interest not only in reporting Handspring's stock, but affecting it. If she doesn't have the PR skills at this, the single most critical release of a product for Handspring since they shipped their first visor, then she should have sent someone else.

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Registered: Jul 2001
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quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn

I'll answer it for her:

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quote:

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Originally posted by volcanopele
AGain, you and others on this board may know all this but possibly not investers.

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Registered: Feb 2000
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Not Adept

My take is that Donna D. is not adept at doing these kind of interviews. If the interview was mostly about financials she would ahve done a much better job...hey that is why she is CEO. Jeff Hawkins would have shined at an interview like this...he ain't the Chief Product Officer for nuttin. At least they should should have made one of their marketing guys (e.g Ed Colligan) do the gig.

Reporters dp what reporters must. I am tired of the old ays of doing thing where the reporter is expected to be obedient and polite. Its time for us to ask our politicians and CEOs tough questions.