Mark C.

We would not recommend OtterPR

Below is a short list of the deliverables provided by OtterPR.

1. Placed brand in unknown outlets that did not target our specific market.

2. Publicist and Account Strategist published an article with typos-misspelled words and bad grammar. After the article was published, We noticed the typos and brought them to OtterPR attention. Rather than take responsibility reviewing the article before it was passed on to the publisher OtterPR blamed the publisher.

3. While communicating that brand identity is extremely important to us as a new start up, OtterPR debated our need as their client to publish our brand name as we wished. The Publicist pushed back against our need and published the article with our brand name diluted.
This was the final straw that cemented our decision to terminate our PR representation with OtterPR.

4. OtterPR claims that their publications are "organic". Unknown to us, we discovered a promotion disclaimer at the bottom of an article that payment is exchanged for the publication of articles. Which negates OtterPR organic claim.

5. Articles are buried with hundreds of other paid articles -not easy to find. Our target market are less likely to find and read articles buried in low tier outlets

6. OtterPR claims that they are "organic" in their process and the only PR company that guarantees top tier placement---this is false ---There are many PR firms that guarantee top tier secured placements in publications at a much lower cost than OtterPR

7. After a month of service, we were published in an outlet not in our specific target market. We decided that OtterPR is not a fit for our growth. We reached out to OtterPR to end the subscription service. After sharing our decision with the founders *, they "promised" to have our brand published in top tier publications. Additionally, they claimed that our relationship was short lived and their results are organic and take time. * requested more time to deliver results in top tier placements. Because of this and our hope to trust their process, we remained onboard for 2 additional months, only to continue the process of waiting in uncertainty for the same results--placement in a outlet that are not our specific target market while providing no value to our company.

8. OtterPR claims they pitch weekly to numerous outlets. They provide a list of "titles" yet they will not disclose what they are pitching. When asked to provide us with the details of what they are pitching about our company OtterPR consistently denied our request.

9. OtterPR suggested a Podcast that did not cater to our target market. We had no clue how this outlet would be beneficial to our brand. Again, we went along with OtterPR's strategy. The host of the Podcast did not show up to the scheduled appointment. During the taping he completely mispronounced the brand name- --he used a name completely different from ours and the brand name on the back link was misspelled. Branding for a new start up is a critical key point of brand identity. OtterPR missed the mark on important details when working with a new startup.

10. OtterPR is a lengthly subscription service that kept us hopelessly waiting unexcited for valueless results

Grand Finale--Publicist emailed the weekly report with a named outlet that she excitedly declared a guaranteed publication in our weekly meeting.
During that same meeting she stated that the article would be ready for review in two weeks.
During that time we notified OtterPR that we were cancelling our subscription service.
Surprisingly, after the notification of cancellation, the Publicist claimed that she had no recollection of the placement even after we were informed the placement was guaranteed and the article was being written.
After challenging OtterPR with the documentation from their weekly report and our notes.
OtterPR notified me in writing that prior to ending the relationship, they would be moving forward with the publication.
After waiting for the 2 month process to complete---writing the article--review--edits ---approval after edits----
OtterPR ceased communication.

2 months later and no communication from OtterPR, I contacted the Publicist for an update on the articles publication date.
OtterPR inform me that the publication is no longer in line with the editorial schedule.

OtterPR's unprofessional handling of this matter, the lack of communication and broken promises became nothing less than egregious.

Overall, the staff was pleasant.
After months of waiting for OtterPR to improve and provide value for our company, we decided that we no longer wanted to wait around for broken promises while OtterPR continued to worsen.
We do not recommend their service

*Personal information redacted by admin