by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC
The story is that structured settlement industry (that is those that create structured settlements) are starting to question DealFlow Media's approach with its "Structured Settlements Report" and the response is very interesting. On February 8, 2008 the DealFlow Media Director of Sales represented that "its weekly Structured Settlements Wire has already been distributed to more than 5,000 professionals in the Structured Settlements industry" in an attempt to solicit Summit Settlement Services general agent Stan K. Harlan for advertising money.
The characterization of the 5,000 was used not just once but TWICE!
Then yesterday DealFlow Media editor, Brett Goetschius refers to it as "his supposed statement that there are 5,000 people in "our industry"". He said he never made such a claim, which is true, but his Director of Sales did…in black and white, in his official capacity on behalf of DealFlow Media. My how things change in one week. Predictably there is some backtracking as now as DealFlow Media's editor refers to it as "a market NOT AN INDUSTRY". And who is included in that "market" besides the 600-700 individuals and companies in the actual structured settlement industry?
Read the emails and see for yourself!
—–Original Message—–
From: Brett Goetschius [mailto:brett@dealflowmedia.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 4:47 PM
To: 'Stan Harlan'
Subject: RE: The Structured Settlements Report – Your Issue Attached
Stan,
I don't know where you are getting your information, I can only tell you
that it is dead wrong. We are an independent news organization. We publish
six different newsletters and hold eight annual conferences, of which only
one deals with structured settlements. If you choose to believe Darer's
libel instead I can't help you.
As for my supposed statement that there are 5,000 people in "our industry" –
first of all I would refer to it as a market not an industry, and second, I
have never made such a claim. We have more than 5,000 people who receive our
Structured Settlements Wire email alert. You'd need to ask them why they've
chosen to receive it, we don't require a NSSTA membership to sign up for it.
Regards,
Brett
AFTER YOU READ THAT, NOW READ THIS! (which was more than likely sent to other structured settlement general agents)
From: Jim Patrick [mailto:jim@dealflowmedia.com]
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 12:39 PM
To: stan@summitsettlements.com
Subject: The Structured Settlements Report
Dear Stan,
You should have recently received our initial Structured Settlements Report and I certainly hope you found it good reading and an asset to your business. In addition to the Report, our Structured Settlements Website has just come online and the weekly Structured Settlements Wire has already been distributed to more than 5,000 professionals in the Structured Settlements industry: http://structuredsettlements.dealflowmedia.com/
If you would like to get on the radar screen of annuity brokers, factoring companies, attorneys active in tort claims, financial advisors to special needs clients or estate planners looking for the latest options for structuring legal settlements, or if you want to attract investors seeking alternative assets with high returns, then perhaps you should consider becoming one of the first to advertise in our weekly newswire and on our website.
Our Report and Newswire is distributed to C-Suite executives, partners and principals in their respective companies. These are the movers and shakers in the industry and the clients and associates you covet most.
So don’t hesitate…this is a unique opportunity for your company to network with other professionals in the Structured Settlements Industry and represents a special 2 for 1 advertising program that is being offered to charter subscribers and sponsors. And, you should also be aware that there is only a limited amount of positions available and they will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
I’ve attached our Media Kit for your reference and look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Jim Patrick
DealFlow Media
Director of Sales
(707) 763-4770 Ext 30
jim@dealflowmedia.com
DealFlow Media and its readers should consider that the structured settlement industry is not interested in being glommed in with an industry where professional licensure is not required to make a living. What they are doing is classic "blitzkreig" media framing. IF they choose to do so the structured settlement industry (as defined in the opening sentence above) and its members are well within their rights to defend themselves, starting with this author.
"Therefore send not for whom the bell tolls, the bell tolls for thee" John Donne (1572-1631)
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