I thought some of you would enjoy seeing this post from Julie at Sleuth for Health talking about how we met up this weekend. Her post is titled My Biotech Weekend and begins by recounting how I sent her an email some time ago.
A while back I received an email from Janice Person, the Monsanto social media gal whom many of you know. She was coming to Portland in late June and wanted to know if we could meet up for lunch. She admitted that it might be surprising for me to receive such an email from a Monsanto employee but would I consider meeting her? She also said that she would totally understand if I was not comfortable.
At the time I received her email, I was coming around about GMOs, realizing that they were not dangerous like all the activist literature had said they were, but my feelings about Big Ag, Monsanto and the like, those views were more complicated to sort through. Nonetheless I agreed to meet with her.
via My Biotech Weekend | SLEUTH 4 HEALTH.
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Everyone knows your a Monsanto Employee in PR. The question is of character, really & it is amazing that you’re promoting this mans work! Getting paid by Employer….OK
I’m sorry I don’t think I understand the comment. Yes, I am a Monsanto employee, this is my personal blog & as the footer below says.
Are you questioning my character based on my employment or based on the fact I am so passionate about agriculture and biotech that I’m willing to spend my personal time on it too? Either way, I am transparent about who I am and what I believe and I am quite comfortable with my character.
I think you’re a Monsanto shill. The damage that company has done is amazing. All done giving you any attention.
I’d be glad to talk with you about why I work there and how I see the work we are doing first-hand on a daily basis. The company isn’t perfect but we are doing some things that are truly making a positive difference.
Susan, I don’t think the word shill means what you think it means. Janice clearly states all over this blog who she works for and that is pretty much the opposite of what a shill is.
You also paid for this woman’s lunch via a Monsanto card & so the website is indeed not only your thoughts. A Monsanto Rep.
I am sorry you feel we can’t talk about this but understand it is your choice. I am proud to work for the company and proud of our efforts to produce more food, conserve resources and to improve the lives of farmers. And although some of the things I discuss here are during work, including them here is my choice as it is all part of who I am. Have a nice weekend.
Janice this personal blog post directly relates to Monsanto & you paying for Julee’s lunch via their card, as listed and advertised on her blog (even showing your name with Monsanto right underneath it. It negates everything you say in your footer. Interestingly enough Julee went to Hawaii right after your lunch, maybe not so but did Monsanto and you arrange for that trip too? Monsanto probably paid for your trip also.
Now Pharmacies Companies used exactly this approach to market medications to MD’s (bought trips, sent them to conferences, paid enormous amounts of money to lecture on the benefits of the drug, despite research results) This technique of marketing was BANNED by the AMA about 5-7 years ago. The MD’s associated with this practice are now listed on a site with exactly how much they received & from whom for the world to see. If you want to be a Monsanto Rep just like the ole Drug Reps….so be it.
If this is a personal blog…….you cannot have this kind of a post and be truthful to your footer.
That is all I am saying. If you want to be proud of working and advertising Monsanto relations on your personal blog you must have their approval.
Your footer needs to change, the post deleted or get approval from your employer. If Julee is now an employee (now) she must do the same. This would make your footer accurate
The SAS, Shill Accusation Syndrome, is strong in this one !
LOL!
Susan, I appreciate your efforts to make me understand why you feel the way you do. I was traveling for work when I had the chance to meet Julee. I bought her lunch from the company as we spent quite a while answering questions she had about Monsanto. However, I shared this post to my personal blog simply because I thought some friends would find it interesting, much like I would do at a family dinner or general get together. I am not familiar with the pharmaceutical case you are referring to but will check into it as I certainly want to be fully compliant. There are several expenses associated with this site and I bare them all personally as well as have full editorial license without regard for the goals set forward for my job. I will check further to be sure that is not a problem.
FYI all pharmaceutical companies……a google search will provide much info. Here is a recent link but practice of “buying MD’s” or loading them with gifts (expensive ones like trips, huge salaries)was banned. I know this most definitely, here is just one link http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/02/15/your-doctor-getting-paid-big-pharma
However, Monsanto would not like you paying even for a simple lunch for a friend on their dime, unless it was business related. (Last post, take care)
It was just a cheap breakfast in a local pub…. No alcohol or anything. It was properly filed for expenses. Again, I will look into it. Thank you.
OK, I just found it interesting that the next day Julee was in Hawaii 😀 So I agree the expenses probably were properly filed & maybe included this trip. Not good to post this on a personal blog and contradicts your footer. I don’t want you to get into any trouble with your employer.
I am Julee and Monsanto did NOT, did NOT, did NOT pay for this trip to Hawaii. If only! Susan, really, you’ve got to be kidding. We are considering extending a few days in Maui and it’s going to cost us, ballpark, another $1200 to do so – just in airfare and hotel. Please, it is SO insulting to be accused of accepting money from Monsanto. Maybe I just have an independent opinion. Really, some of us do. We base it on evidence and facts as we understand them.