Matt -
I appreciate the well thought out discourse on the subject, as I know it is a hot button for a LOT of folks on both sides. You represent your views well. With that in mind, I will attempt to address a few of your comments below:
1) I don't believe there's actually that big of a difference between a leak and violation of an information embargo. For one thing, in both instances you are in possession of company sensitive information that the owning company does not want released to the public. For another thing, in both instances you have violated the company's wishes (and perhaps an NDA with said company) and released the information to a third party and/or the general public anyway.
Actually, the differences are still vast but key into one particular thing: The source. With a leak the source is rarely, if ever disclosed. In the rare instance that source is discovered, they most likely get a visit from company (DCX) security. It's not pretty, nor will the company validate a single word of that "inside information." With a press embargo the company has, in fact, written an
official press release and names the source within DCX specifically. They have even distributed that press release and stock photos to the various news organizations. All official and above board. Where the "embargo" comes from is a gentleman's agreement (no NDA) not to release that information prior to a certain date. All of the information is official with named sources and official quotes from DCX personnel. A leak is nothing more than a "whisper under the table" from unauthorized personnel with questionable information. Most importantly, it has absolutely no sanction from the company or division. It is, in fact, violating company policy and often signed nondisclosure agreements (NDA). Again, the difference is vast.
2) Clearly DCX does not want the information regarding the '08 Viper in the hands of the general public, including the press release quoted above by George. If they did, it would be on
www.dodge.com yet it is not. Furthermore, I have access to both the DCX Media site and the Chrysler media blog site (the Firehouse) and NEITHER has any information regarding the '08 Viper on it. By making this information public, the VCA website is clearly going against the wishes of DCX. I wouldn't think that would be all that great for the health of that Dodge-VCA relationship. The fact that a magazine has chosen to violate their agreement with DCX does not make it ok for the VCA to do so. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Incorrect, in that DCX
absolutely wants that information in the hands of the public, otherwise you would never have seen those pictures or gotten those details. They just didn't want it released as soon as it was. Again,
DCX wrote the press release, which I believe is actually everything
on this page in
italics. DC and Dodge did not post it on their own site as they are not about to break their own embargo. By doing so they are telling the magazines that, "Gee, that's okay - we will make sure you get the early scoop on our next supercar even though you broke this story thirteen days early." I suspect you will see this exact press release on their website as soon as January 2nd.
As for the VCA website allowing this to be posted, we simply allowed our members to post what is already on the newstands and posted on dozens of websites (probably hundreds by now). Again, it is an
official press release and the embargo broken well outside of the VCA. To deny its existence would not only be naive, but a blatant disrespect to our membership.
3) Your paragraph regarding the "700HP" rumor is clearly in reference to our Nevada Region newsletter of late 2005. Note that the piece ran under the title "Next Generation Viper Rumors" and clearly informs the reader that all the information was third hand, thus leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions as to its credibility and validity. Also, note that our region president has final editorial control over all newsletter content and chose to leave this piece in the newsletter following his review of it.
The problem surrounds one sentence in particular: "I've received a couple of key leaks from inside DCX regarding the upcoming generation IV Viper." By citing actual DCX employees, and key at that, the needle swings perilously close to "fact" from "rumor". This piece went on to say "will" several times as opposed to "might". "Will" implies fact, whereas "might" implies rumor. Both the high-profile source and the way that article was written made it appear set it stone. Unfortunately not a rumor.
4) If you want to pin the poor sales of the '06 Viper on the piece in our newsletter then that is your perogative. However, that conclusion fails to take into account many other factors that naturally had a much greater effect on the Viper's lagging sales including ever increasing competition for the Viper's marketspace (most notably from the Z06), continuing lukewarm market acceptance of the gen 3's styling, a stagnant national economy, etc. Also, you're attributing WAY too much credit and influence to a two paragraph piece that ran in our region newsletter, a newsletter whose circulation is less than 100 copies, many of which are probably never read at all.
That newsletter went to every regional president in the country - make that the world. Many forwarded it on to their own membership for that article alone. Still others repeated it at their meetings or posted it on websites, including this one. The article seemed so fact-filled and with a DCX source that it was worth repeating. And boy did it ever get repeated.
I'm as amped up about the new Viper as the next guy and plan on special ordering one to go with my GTS, but it just struck me that there was a double standard once again at play on this website. When it seemed ohiodoc was thinking the same thing, I chimed in.
Definitely no double standard in play at all. As I said before, the Pope himself could have posted those original rumors and they would have been stricken just as quickly. The VCA will not endorse, support, or host unsubstantiated rumors - especially when they cite an unnamed DCX source. If, on the other hand, that source is specifically named in an official DCX press release, we will allow that on the boards.
Chris, thanks again for taking the time to openly and honestly discuss this issue and I look forward to your term in office as our national president.
Matt, I greatly appreciate the thought and am always happy to discuss my opinions whenever anybody has the patience to read through these novels.
As for that "national president" thing, don't forget I will only be the humble national treasurer. I think you will be very pleased to see where Bob Carroll takes us as your new National President and George Farris as the National Vice President. More capable hands could not be imagined. Now where did I put that checkbook thingy...
