Boy, has this turned into a right stooshie about Sun Love and how they treat people. If you’re just catching up here, this Contently Managed blog post has all the details (and don’t miss the comments section). I blogged about it, thinking it was an interesting article on how PR is being used online, how social media can affect customer interaction and wondering if it was a deliberate style or not.

Then both the owner of Sun Love and the guy behind some of his online activities – David Alexander of one3rdnerd – got in touch via Twitter, the blog comments and email…

And here’s where we are: both have sent me a bunch of emails claiming that it shows they are both in the right.

And that’s what’s going to be in this post. All the emails, from both sides. Not sorted out chronologically, just as I received them (I’ve tried to do the chronological thing and it doesn’t work as some of the dates are screwed from being sent to me). All that’s going to be edited out are email addresses, footers and other useless bits.

What it also shows is a really interesting look behind the scenes at how a company planned its execution of a social media campaign and what happened along the way.

As I’ve said to both, it’s not my place to take sides. Neither of them is a paid (or even free) client. Before this blogposting I never knew of either of them, so I’m not taking sides. Other people can read all of this, Google elsewhere and make up their own minds.

There will be a third blog posting on this in a few days where I offer both of them PR solutions to getting out of this, but for those of you who have been enjoying this so far, pull up a chair and get some popcorn.

Two things though:

1. As I said, I have no idea who is right and who is wrong in this one. It’s sad that it’s come to this though and let’s remember that at the end of the day, at least two people’s livliehoods and incomes are going to be affected by this.
2. If either party thinks I’ve left something out (some cuts have been made to avoid repetition in parts) then feel free to post the emails in the comments section at the end of this post. All I ask for both sides is that you a) refrain from publishing email addresses and b) make sure it’s in an order that can be read.
3. If this is all an online stunt to get people talking, boy it sure is working.

Sun Love Emails

Forwarded conversation
Subject: RE: HELLO
————————

From: David Alexander
Date: Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM

Hi Darian, I had to crash early last night, apologies had a bit of a migrane. Okay, personally i dont think the youtube search feature is very efficient, and secondly its more aimed at searching for subjects instead of profiles. you can get to the channel direct by going tohttp://youtube.com/sunlovebeauty

From: David Alexander
Date: Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Hi Darian,

Hope you are well, had a brief chat with Renee yesterday about a few bits and bobs. Seen the new video on the youtube, not a bad entry. I think with the constructive critisism, you should just humour it and bike your cheek, instead of getting too involved. There is a lot of talk in the industry at the moment about how a bad customer experience can bring a company down during the “social media revolution”. I thought I would show you a video on my magazine which may help put it all into context for you. I hope you enjoy the video and it is eye opening. hope your well. Whats on the agenda at the moment? was the tonight show good? I couldnt get any footage over here, so if you know where I can see it Id love to see the link.

http://grievousbodilycharm.com/2009/08/15/social-media-revolution-is-it-a-fad-socialnomics/

Cheers

———-
From: David Alexander
Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 11:17 AM

———-
From: David Alexander
Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM
To:

Wow, WOW WOW, I must commend you Darian, for someone from a generation not generally in touch with all this, you are really fighting against the grain and learning whats needed. This will be excellent and really help me with everything on this end. I always tell people the more content the better.

I will have a read again in a bit, and write some more ideas down. If you can get the people doing these new “special” videos to send me a copy of each, then I can submit them to all the video and viral websites including links pointing to where we want the traffic to end up. Im happy to work on design and newletters.

No responses from the emailings i sent out, however all messages were delivered, so the email accounts do exist, so we will see. Looking forward to seeing more videos, and your viral advertising ideas sound very on point good work.

Dear David,

Okay Here’s what I got going on this side of the pond.

I found a company here called THRIVE, they will rent me

email addresses with a guarantee of 3% capture rate.

will start with 500K then a million, then 3 million emails.

You my boy have to design the newsletter. This you SHINE AT.

I have decided to make my own videos as well, so I found a

video guy and editing place. Since YOUTUBE is mostly male viewers,

I am going to make a series of sexy videos and funny.

Girl laying out here cloths and underwear on the bed, shoes, etc.

Cut to te bathroom, she drops her robe, slight upper but shot.

SPRAY SUNLOVE.

You see her feet put the shoes on, and you see the front door close.

You see SUNLOVE in her clear plastic purse over her shoulder,

and you see a long shot of her walking off naked with SUNOVE

across her ass. SUNLOVE, its all you really need to wear.

(i have others)

Hot chick, naked, SUNLOVE. We need the views.

That brings me to my next question, or whatever, take a look at

viral youtube marketing search engines, some of them have

some interesting stuff.

I am having a computer coach for a few hours next week, and SKYPE turned on !

Are you okay with the emails you sent out to the contestants ? Did any of them

get back to you at all?????

I know Im missing telling you something, but to tell you truth david, Im beat.

We have Videos starting today, makeupbymel, then Megan tommorrow,

Then Holly Thursday, then DANICA next week, then SOcalMAG next week,

Then a girl that RUNS ASIA, two weeks from now. 2 From UK, these are all

shall we say YOUTUBE PROS. So I will get over the bad so called press soon enough.

Besides, best way to win is to still be here next week.

Think about what and how YOU want to get in their face.

All the best Mate

DARIAN

Hi Darian,

Sounds like Allthatglitters and her young managers are trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Id suggest some sort of cyber revenge but best to wait til the contests over as the public comments thing can have more of a negative effect than some videos that arent perfect about sunlove. You know the old saying “any press is good press” well its not 100% true, but 90% there. I agree

Im feeling much better, I had a look at the contest page and forgot to mention it. I think to submit you either need a certain number of contestants or need to be offered a youtube partner account due to a large amount of hits, so maybe its a time thing, and maybe it wouldnt be possible until the second contest? if there is one, one day. yes there will be

Using other video sites ties in with my idea to make an intro video about the contest, i will have a look later today and making a simple video with text, and product images for you, this could be useful, and I can submit it to 10 or more video sites, with a backlink which goes to your website, and the youtube contest. Sounds great

the reason I am entering the term #sunlovebeauty or #sunlovecontest is because other people will use the same tag, if enough people use the same #tag then it has the chance to become a trending topic, its not a promo code as such, but a way to distinguise people talking about the sun love contest, so yes its a way to track people talking about the same subject, or retweeting and an attempt to get the topic featured as a popular trending topic. Hope this helps. Okay, Istill dont really get it, but my plate is full anyway, so i’ll just leave that one to you.

———-
From: David Alexander
Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 10:12 PM
To:

From: sun love
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 4:23 AM
To: sun love

———-
From:  sun love
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 4:51 AM
To: sun love

———-
From: DB
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 5:27 AM


Can you post this plese

Forwarded conversation
Subject: Fwd: SUNLOVE
————————

From: SUN LOVE
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 4:10 AM
To: SUN LOVE

—–Original Message—–
From: SUN LOVE
Sent: Sun, Sep 13, 2009 8:57 am
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

Dear David.

I do not use this email address anymore. As for the proposition,

I dont know what you are talking about. I do know that everyone

that signed up for twitter goes to your email address, and you

automatically thank them, and ask them to enter the sunlove contest.

1- The contest has been over for entries since the end of August.

2- Those names belong to MY data base. Or else what is it that

you are asking Rene for payment OF EXACTLY ????
When you go away, I email you and get NO RESPONSE.

I do not believe you ever had an assistant. And I see no increase

from the google analytical reports to show me anything other

than what I MYSELF HAVE BEEN DOING.

Now thats my thoughts, I dont know yours at all.

DARIAN

—–Original Message—–
From: David Alexander
Sent: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 9:56 pm
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

are you allliIIIIVVVVEEE? hope you well Darian

Let me know about that proposition I might have for you.

David Alexander

—–Original Message—–
From: SUN LOVE
Sent: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:02:33 -0400
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

I dont have the password, elijah does. Email im.
Video with allthatglitters should be up and running 2mrw.

—–Original Message—–
From: David Alexander

Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 5:48 pm
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

okay, thats 8? not 18? and how is the video coming on? Id really like the password for the youtube so I can try and improve it a bit.

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–
From: SUN LOVE
Sent: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:38:11 -0400
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

!8 to 45
Check out who the judges are on my web page enter the contest……

—–Original Message—–
From: David Alexander
Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 5:01 pm
Subject: RE: Fwd: SUNLOVE

Hi Darian,

Just a quick one. What is the age criteria for the competition?

Cheers

David Alexander

—–Original Message—–
From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Mon, Aug 3, 2009 6:38 am
Subject: SUNLOVE

Dear Frank,
Happy Canadian Holiday.
Onelast thing, andIt is so very important.

In bold red letter banner (big) side bar

The story ofd the Amrican Indian is tragic.

In my life,I cannot think of a people more in touch with being “green”.
We took it, and look what we have done.
47% unemployment and homelessness. They don’t have computers, or
twitter, or HOMES. The library is short of books.
They have read  every copy , of  every book 3 times. A portion of the sales from SUNLOVE will
go to sending books, books,and more books to the LAKOTA NATION.

Home of men of honor and pride. Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and Crazy Horse.
There people need books, even if you dont buy anything, send a used book.
We all owe them much more than that.

Thank You
The entire staff of SUNLOVE

---

———-
From:  SUN LOVE
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 4:30 AM

To: SUN LOVE
Sent: Sun, Sep 13, 2009 1:55 pm
Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

DAVID EMAILS

Dear David,

I read what yo wrote on Twitter, and I called some friends in England, and should it happen again, you wil

have a problem mate. What happend toy your Uncle ??? My friends are from liverpool, cant miss them, they ride motorcycles.

Wanna Play

All the best

DARIAN

On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 3:36 PM, David Alexander wrote:

Your not making any sense, have you been drinking Darian?

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:05:20 -0400

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

My friends inliverpool will break you and you flight  girl for breakfeastl

On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 9:52 AM, David Alexande wrote:

So Darian, you are obvioustly a charlatan and a con man, and theres only two things we do with dishonest people such as yourself on the web, ruin their busineses credibility and expose them for what they are.

Good luck, you have picked a good fight here.

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:01:25 -0400

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

All that says is that while I WAS AWAY, nobody was watching the store. Automatic response doesnt mean any work

other than set up. The contest did not do very well until I took control and did it myself. My Youtube girls drove traffic,

Nothing else. Check the analyticals. I gave you access to everything, but no one looked. My brother is the head of the FBI

so dont talk about 9/11 any more. And if you continued to do somthing, then by all means tell me what that was exactly.

If you dont want to fight , And I really dont, then please look at it this way. you go away to see your girlfriend and your

emails start going to the wrong clients for 12 days. You came back, and your employee says “can I get paid now” ???

How would you feel ? And yes I put a lot of trust and faith in you and yours 3000 miles away.

DARIAN

On Sun, Sep 13, 2009 at 2:24 PM, David Alexander  wrote:

Excuse me, but I at no point wanted to insult you or your country. Ultimately 9/11 caused the death of many brits, so dont think we dont say our prays every 11th of september, additionally do our terrorist attacks in july aswell. I am purely stating what I see, we had an agreement, when you explained that you couldnt pay just yet, i was patient and continued to do bits that I could when I could to continue in the assistance of your contest, which I believe has gone down very well as far as brand identity goes.

The twitter auto message replies is because of an add on I set up called Tweet later, which is proven to improve your twittering list and experience several fold as it gives users  more opportunity to see your website. I can change this to just “the contest is now closed, but if you are interested in future contests or SunLove products then please visit this site “yourwebsite.biz” that is not a problem.

My assistant doesnt regularly check the emails but just completes sets of tasks I assign to him, hense the lack of replies when I have been visiting my girlfriend. The SunLove products never arrived by the way, I do have a lot on my plate right now, as she is moving to Dubai in two weeks, however I am still for the cause and trying my best.

If you had emailed me sooner or got Rene to email me RE: the twitter auto reply, I would have changed this the day you asked. Thanks for your time. I hope that answers some of your queries.

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:15:37 -0400

To: SUN LOVE

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

That list on twitter should be mine, thats what you want to charge me for. We are both aware

of the value of that list and more names etc. Next, be careful mate about insulting my country,

9/11 was just remmembered. And If you have an assistant, then tell me why not one email

want answered every time you were away? And how come your automatic eamil response

keeps informing people of a contest they can no longer take part in. (12 days of this)

Lets get the answers to those questions first, before you ask me for money.

I just get home to find all this out, so I am more thsan upset. And if you threaten

me ever again, you wont like what comes next. So take it down a few notches.

DARIAN

On Sun, Sep 13, 2009 at 1:55 PM, David Alexander  wrote:

Darian,

My proposition was that I had found a client in the UK potentially willing to become a reseller for you here, ads they run a mobile beauty company across Britain, and tanning is one of their main products, I did tell you all about this before.

You are telling me I am lying about having an assistant? what do you want photographs? I go away? I dont think you realize the true cost of all the work we have been doing for you, and that I gave you a great discount as I liked your ideas and your contest sounded very interesting. So you are now telling me I have paid for all of this? and I am not going to get my money? You paid me $200 of the agreed $700. Therefore we are $500 out. I am a professional webmaster, so I will inform you now, that the list on twitter is not yours If the IP that it was set up was mine, which of course I can prove in a court of law. I really wasnt expecting such an unprofessional response from you, I have had my assistant doing a little bit of work even after you havent paid for weeks as I believe trust to be an important factor in ANY business relationship, perhaps Americans dont follow the same code as we do here in England.

RSVP

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:57:45 -0400

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

Dear David.

I do not use this email address anymore. As for the proposition,

I dont know what you are talking about. I do know that everyone

that signed up for twitter goes to your email address, and you

automatically thank them, and ask them to enter the sunlove contest.

1- The contest has been over for entries since the end of August.

2- Those names belong to MY data base. Or else what is it that

you are asking Rene for payment OF EXACTLY ????

When you go away, I email you and get NO RESPONSE.

I do not believe you ever had an assistant. And I see no increase

from the google analytical reports to show me anything other

than what I MYSELF HAVE BEEN DOING.

Now thats my thoughts, I dont know yours at all.

DARIAN

—–Original Message—–

From: David Alexander

To: SUN LOVE

Sent: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 9:56 pm

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

are you allliIIIIVVVVEEE? hope you well Darian

Let me know about that proposition I might have for you.

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:02:33 -0400

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

I dont have the password, elijah does. Email im.

Video with allthatglitters should be up and running 2mrw.

—–Original Message—–

From: David Alexander

To: SUN LOVE

Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 5:48 pm

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

okay, thats 8? not 18? and how is the video coming on? Id really like the password for the youtube so I can try and improve it a bit.

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:38:11 -0400

To:

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

!8 to 45

Check out who the judges are on my web page enter the contest……

—–Original Message—–

From: David Alexander

To: SUN LOVE

Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 5:01 pm

Subject: RE: Fwd: SUNLOVE

Hi Darian,

Just a quick one. What is the age criteria for the competition?

Cheers

David Alexander

One3rdNerd Media Ltd – Creative Design & Media

“Web Design, Graphic Design, & SEO Services”

http://one3rdnerd.org

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:54:26 -0400

Subject: Fwd: SUNLOVE

—–Original Message—–

From: SUN LOVE

Sent: Mon, Aug 3, 2009 6:38 am

Subject: SUNLOVE

Dear Frank,

Happy Canadian Holiday.

Onelast thing, andIt is so very important.

In bold red letter banner (big) side bar

The story ofd the Amrican Indian is tragic.

In my life,I cannot think of a people more in touch with being “green”.

We took it, and look what we have done.

47% unemployment and homelessness. They don’t have computers, or

twitter, or HOMES. The library is short of books.

They have read  every copy , of  every book 3 times. A portion of the sales from SUNLOVE will

go to sending books, books,and more books to the LAKOTA NATION.

Home of men of honor and pride. Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and Crazy Horse.

There people need books, even if you dont buy anything, send a used book.

We all owe them much more than that.

Thank You

The entire staff of SUNLOVE

From: SUN LOVE

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

Date: 13 September 2009 19:23:07 GMT+01:00

I just read your email to Rene.

Listen tough guy, you call your Uncle and explain you set up

phoney accts to lie to people on twitter, and that you are automatically

sending out responses that are a lie as well. And that beat of all, I have

23 emails sent to me of complaints about entering the contest. For every

person you upset they tell 10 people. Do the math. So go to your Uncle

in INTL law, and sue me for 200 pounds because you lied ….

Simple, then you can talk to my English friends from Liverpool.

All the best mate

DARIAN

From: DB SUN LOVE

Subject: Re: SUNLOVE

Date: 13 September 2009 19:15:37 GMT+01:00

That list on twitter should be mine, thats what you want to charge me for. We are both aware

of the value of that list and more names etc. Next, be careful mate about insulting my country,

9/11 was just remmembered. And If you have an assistant, then tell me why not one email

want answered every time you were away? And how come your automatic eamil response

keeps informing people of a contest they can no longer take part in. (12 days of this)

Lets get the answers to those questions first, before you ask me for money.

I just get home to find all this out, so I am more thsan upset. And if you threaten

me ever again, you wont like what comes next. So take it down a few notches.

DARIAN

ENDS