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Posted On 05.04.09

I Google myself, don’t you?

 Last week I came across a search result that was disturbing. The search came back with a result that said a web page was an interview with me, Brian Camen. Once I clicked on the web page, it wasn’t me. It was an interview with someone by the name of Logan Herb.

 At least that’s what it said it was…

I started reading the interview and Logan Herb sounded exactly like me. He does PR for a business school, originally from New Jersey and had the same internships as me while in college!

As you can tell, it was supposed to be an interview with me. It turns out a public relations student created a fake interview with me for a class assignment. The student posted the assignment to his/her blog (which the blog itself seems to be a class assignment as well). The student originally posted my name on the interview, but changed it. He/she did not realize Google catches everything.

The student created questions and make fake answers based on the about me page on my blog, my PRopenmic.com profile and my twitter account. There were also responses to questions in this fake interview that I would never give, such as PR pros should be responsive and witty on a daily basis. Witty, really? Even better, the student has me compliment him/her during the interview.

Students: There are tons of PR pros that are willing to help you by providing advice and informational interviews. You can find pros in the social media world or on any media relations page on a company Web site. Don’t be afraid to approach them and ask for advice when needed.

What this student did was extremely unethical. Using my name in false pretense is disturbing. I’m here to help, please don’t take advantage of my services.

 *I decided not to publish the student’s name or blog for the protection of his/her future in our industry.

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Abbie S. Fink
May 4, 2009 9:00 am

Brian -- why oh why did this student take this route. To lie like this . . . unbelievable. As you said, there are plenty of us PR pros willing to give our time to up and coming professionals. There was no need to make this stuff up.

Thanks for the timely lesson, I'm hopping on to google right now.

May 4, 2009 10:16 am

Brian, wow I'm so surprised and also a little disappointed for that college student. That's unfortunate someone completely faked an interview with you but then had the audacity to post it publicly on the web. I know there's so much conversation about privacy and what you put online is available to everyone, but still some people don't get it! This is so bizarre to me.

On another note, I appreciate your kindness and being the 'bigger person' to not publish the students name. Maybe they didn't even realize, but I hope they understand the consequences and don't do that again. Maybe consider yourself flattered?

Brian Camen
May 4, 2009 10:33 am

Abbie - I can't believe it either.

Grace - I'm sure the college student who did this to me will read the blog post about them. Now the question is - will they appreciate the kindness?

In the world of social media, it is easy for someone's reputation and credibility to go down the drain quickly.

Thanks for your kind words.

May 4, 2009 10:46 am

Brian - last week I found my bio for my blog literally copied, pasted, and edited to suit a classmate's life.

It's a BIO! Why on earth would you copy and paste a bio? Apparently it was a partnered assignment, where your partner writes your bio. Regardless, someone is using my content and the other student isn't cross-checking their partner's work.

Personally, I didn't blast my classmate's name when I was tweeting about finding my copied and pasted bio. But I could have. And that's the power of social.

If these students are making stuff up now, what do you think will happen if you don't call attention to it? I feel like I should shout her name from the rooftops because she can't come up with original material. Copying and pasting information for a campaign or something similar in the future could put her company on the line. You don't want someone like that in your office - so the question now is, why aren't we saying their names?

I know we all make mistakes. But deliberately faking an interview? What's next? Deliberately faking your resume to get hired above someone who has one that's legit? Deliberately copying a campaign but tailoring it to your client?

May 4, 2009 10:58 am

A class bio? wow.

I believe faking resume's already happen, but in my opinion it's not as easy catching someone because you don't have Google tracking your every move.

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