Startup Tries to Make Best of Annoying a Scrum of Tech Reporters

Robert Adams started one of the more memorable email chains in recent memory this week, after he messaged a good chunk of the leading tech reporters to tout his new privacy-oriented social media service.

The email was sent to hundreds of technology reporters pitching Brax.me, which Adams said “was designed for users who want complete control over their social media experience.”

Of course, that made it extra laughable as the reporters found themselves unable to avoid being included on dozens of follow-up messages from their fellow tech scribes.

The email touched off a days-long string of messages as well as a number of entreaties to just let the thread die.

Some suggested that Adams would have a “special place in hell,” while plenty of others (including this reporter) just enjoyed the opportunity to poke fun at a large group of colleagues.

Adams sent an apology Saturday morning.

“My sincerest apologies for any inconvenience that my initial press release created. Obviously that was not my intent,” Adams said in an email to the list, although this time the recipients were blind-carbon copied, rather than included individually as recipients. He also created a “Tech Writers Hunger Games” to take advantage of his screw-up.

“It appears, though, that some of you had a ton of fun over the past few days,” he said. “It is amazing how entertaining free-flowing comments are, even without a fancy user interface.”

Adams even suggested the group take their discussion to one of his company’s discussion forums.

Here’s the full text of his email.

My sincerest apologies for any inconvenience that my initial press release created. Obviously that was not my intent. It appears, though, that some of you had a ton of fun over the past few days. It is amazing how entertaining free-flowing comments are, even without a fancy user interface.

May I suggest that the “Tech Writers Hunger Games” continue in your private BraxRoom that we have created for you. Each of you by way of this email will receive a link that will take you directly into the Brax.Me Tech Writers Room after you sign up. There you may exercise your witty repertoire, lyrical skills and enjoy a few laughs with each other. All of your comments and posts are protected through the application and cannot be misappropriated or ever viewed by uninvited guests. Everything is ad-free, protected by AES 256 encryption and has a host of other features that makes this application the first of its kind. Yes, this is an attempt to have at least a few of you actually review the product. A lot of work and our kids’ college tuition went into it.

Yours faithfully awaiting “My Special Place in Hell,”

Robert Adams

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

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