Dear media sales reps, please kiss off
Spinach’s Jennifer Backhouse has some etiquette advice for over-friendly media sales reps.
Greeting media reps has become a running joke at the Spinach offices. What began as a casual observation of an unexpected sloppy one on the cheek has taken on a life of its own.
Walking to reception to greet reps, I’m overcome by a sudden and extreme awkwardness that would put Jarrod from Bachelor in Paradise to shame. I extend my hand, the rep leans in for a kiss.
Flustered, I put my hand down and go to kiss as the rep goes to shake. On one occasion, this torturous little dance went three rounds. I started having a Macarena flashback.
The question begs to be asked, when did media reps become stage five clingers? And what’s wrong with the traditional business approach of a firm handshake? If it works for Donald Trump…
I don’t remember getting so many pashes in my earlier media assistant years, at least, not in the office. So why has it changed in recent years? I have some theories.
The first being that media is a predominately young industry with the latest Media i survey finding 75% of media sales people are aged under 34. Most of the kissing culprits are young millennials and as a gen X spokesperson, I feel as if it’s my duty to impart some wisdom – and germ reduction advice – on this new generation.
I’d like to say that the reps from certain channels are more likely to go in for the kiss than others – I’d have had my money on radio reps being the biggest smoochers.
But a straw poll of the office tells me this incessant kissing happens across all media. And the reps from channels we spend a greater percentage of the client’s budget on have just the same tendencies as the ones from media less utilised, so it’s not like the kissing is an attempt to get into bed with us… in the business sense, I mean.
Maybe I’m just old fashioned or worse still a prude (God forbid!) but I believe we need to establish some rules of engagement.
There’s no denying relationships between agencies and reps are important. They can last for a long time and develop over the course of many months and years. In the case of long-established relationships, a kiss could be expected and even welcome much like a bottle of French bubbly (hint, hint).
But when meeting someone for the first time or a person you have only a fledgling business relationship with, it’s kind of intrusive to your personal space, unprofessional with a mild whiff of Don Burke about it.
When I started as a media assistant, reps freely walked around the agency. Their presence was a fun, social part of our business. Slowly, this process has been formalised and we only see them when they make appointments, making it harder for some to get inside the agency, which in turn makes it tough for us to put a face to the name.
Kissing might change that but not in a good way. Do you want to become known as Toungie Trevor the TV rep? I didn’t think so.
To all the media reps out there reading this, please, reconsider your approach. Our agency reception is not a kissing booth.
And for agency staffers, here are some strategies to combat the rep kiss. The most effective is the outstretched arm at 20 paces but if you want to have some real fun, walk out holding a cup of tea, the office dog or a pointy-shaped award. That’ll get you through until reps start keeping their lips to themselves.
Jennifer Backhouse is the senior connections and investment planner at Spinach.
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Don’t make this a big deal.
Its awkward enough for all of us and we have all unofficially agreed on the kiss. If I wanted to shake hands at 20 paces I would have been a lawyer.
Also, delving into tounging, etc – nobody does that!
Grin and bear it Jen… I’ll be expecting that smooch the next time I see you.
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Firstly why this is aimed at reps and not just people in a business context, is ridiculous. Secondly is this the issue spinach are taking a stand on in our industry? Aim up guys
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And here I was thinking the article titled “It’s time to challenge TVC duration lengths in Australia” was the worst thing I’ve read today. Then this beauty came along. Hard to believe this was even published.
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Nice work “Quality”. You’ve cut down your workload by trolling two people who’ve made an effort through your one invaluable insight.
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So….two questions:
Are we talking boy-on-girl, girl-on-boy, girl-on-girl or boy-on-boy kissing?
How do we feel about hugs?
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This phenomenon is just as rife in agency land also…Agency coordinators who lean in for a kiss from a sales manager they’ve never met before! Would like to get on first name basis at the very least before we start snogging each other please
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No kisses but you’ll happily take a bottle of bubbly -and not any old bubbles French no less! hmmm #ethicscommitte
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First person to spell tongue, tonguey or tonguing correctly gets a firm handshake!
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I am a radio rep and I HATE the kiss… I always avoid it (and even hugging) where possible but it seems very ingrained in media culture. Keep your distance thanks.
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Surely this mid-life crisis article would be better served in a social media rant than trade press? The click bait mafia would be proud of this piece.
Who/what does Spinach even do, it won’t matter too much as this article is one sure-fire way to improve Spinach’s SEO results when prospective clients search the agency in future.
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Perfect response! Jen has all the sound and fury of a teacup maelstrom … whose business is being noticed. No kisses from me!
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Love a good kiss. I would argue that we need to finesse the kiss.. haling from the UK media scene we would plant at least one on each cheek, or rather, kiss the air beside the cheek. We’re behind the curve, guys. Plus, hands have way more germs.
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My, what a hostile response from commenters to a light-hearted piece that many can agree with…
As a guy, I never feel threatened but do feel awkward regarding those ‘business kiss’ interactions. Handshakes all ‘round keeps it nice and simple.
To those who you don’t think the article is high brow or important enough for your time, why bother spending more time commenting?
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Well said.
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Must be pretty far off budget to even know Spinach buy media.
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I’m with you, Jennifer.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/please-greet-you-its-time-say-goodbye-kissing-office-simon-lawson/
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So no more kisses Simon?
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Just me Knowlsey, just me
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On kissing and germs: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1575436/Cheeky-kiss-is-healthier-than-a-handshake.html
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This is the most useless article yet. You have outdone yourselves Mumbrella
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Hmmm,
Imagine how much Spinach would be kissing the backsides of their own clients………hey team Spinach, get yourself enough business for it to be really important to greet you with a kiss….
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I’m with you all the way Jennifer!
The media kiss is so uncomfortable. Go for the handshake by all means, but don’t invade my space with a kiss.
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I would tend to agree this happens quite a lot in agencies when I head out to meet new reps. But to be fair it never really bothers me.. I mean I’ve had my fair share of awkward moments and you just crack on.. I have never really let it hinder a good meeting or stop a good business relationship from developing. I agree with Andrew above, as a Male however sometimes you can feel awkward with what’s acceptable, I’ve figured out that a good defence is key! Always shake, and let them come for the hug/kiss, if it happens… who cares.. crack on
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As a media sales rep it is my job to build relationships with my agency counterparts, I speak to these people more often then I speak to my own family members! A formal handshake hello to people I see 2/3 times a week discredits the relationships and connections we put so much effort into building.
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I think that’s why she said:
“But when meeting someone for the first time or a person you have only a fledgling business relationship with, it’s kind of intrusive to your personal space, unprofessional with a mild whiff of Don Burke about it.”
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Great variety of responses and opinions.
If you do not feel comfortable shaking hands, air kissing cheeks, hugging, you are responsible to share that information with the people trying to have those physical interactions with you.
Everyone has their own preferences.
Hearing a team is making fun of people (who are their business partners) is really disappointing to hear and there are more professional ways of discussing something that may be making a percentage of the team uncomfortable.
My recommendations are to:
1. Stand up for yourself with the individuals. They are thick skinned and will make an effort to change their approach based on your feedback.
2. Try and avoid contributing to a culture where your media partners are positioned to be “sloppy” or “stage 5 clingers”
Sales people, like media agency people work hard to represent themselves, the company they work for.
Mutual respect would make everyone feel a lot more comfortable in having those sometimes awkward “I would prefer if we just shake hands” conversation.
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I think it’s necessary when dealing with reps.
I like to get kissed, before I get f**ked.
(in a business sense)
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Get out of it… the only one doing the f**king here are those agency side.. and vigorously I might add!
(in a business sense of course)
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I don’t think I’ve read such transparently banal drivel in quite a while.
Lift your editorial standards Mumbrella, For Shame.
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Put that tongue away Gene you big perve!
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Nice to have a little bit of humour on Mumbrella. I enjoyed the article, can certainly relate. Some well-timed comic relief. Thank you
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This is the worst piece of journalism I’ve read in a long time. Jennifer is clearly jaded by her poor relationships within the industry. As friends and colleagues, regardless if they are from sales, agency or client, kissing hello is often a sign of a great relationship. Whether it’s right or wrong within a business environment is fair debate, however to say that it’s a “sales rep” thing, is complete horseshit. I’ve had to endure the cold lips of some miserable agency people like Jen in my time.
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Wow, what a self important, pointless opinion piece. Nice way for Spinach to build relationships with the most important stakeholders they have in terms of looking after their clients and delivering comms products.
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Nice read Jen! No, not a big issue like some have commented on but something that invariably is discussed. I try not to over think it, you know Keep It Simple Stupid philosophy….XXXX
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Who are Spinach’s clients and should I be attempting to make contact with Jen? Will kiss for revenue.
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I find “corporate kissing” awkward af, but to write (and might I add publish, Mumbrella) an article admitting you have a running joke about people who are just trying to do their job by being FRIENDLY is pretty f*cked up and shows you think you are better than them. Newsflash – you are a salesperson also, love. To the media reps who have an entertainment budget for Spinach – spend that money on “french bubbly” all for yourselves.
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I’m a fan of the hug myself..
Don’t let the naysayers ruin your day though Jen. Feel no shame ????
Something to consider , written by a man born 55AD
“If a person gave your body to any stranger he met on his way, you would certainly be angry. And do you feel no shame in handing over your own mind to be confused and mystified by anyone who happens to verbally attack you?”
Epictetus
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Mystery solved on the macarena incident Jennifer- spinach in your teeth.
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Is it okay if it is a kiss goodbye the next day?
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I bet the people who think kissing is fine are the same people who complain that they’re too busy to get sick.
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While we’re on it, can the young women in media please stop signing off professional email with X’s?
If we are friends and we’re ,meeting in a friendly capacity or sharing a social and personal email, kisses are go. For proposal and media schedules, please no.
Thanks
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Boo hoo. If that’s all you need to object to, you’re obviously stuck in First World Agency problem. And stay away from European Agencies. You’ll hate their cultural ways.
What rubbish for a business media. Has Mumbrella turned into Mamamia???
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