Guinea pig

Sprint invited me to be a part of their "Ambassador Program" and test out a new phone and their new "Power Vision(sm) Network."  Here's part of the email they sent me:

The Sprint Ambassador Team recently visited Risleyranch.blogs.com and wants to invite you to participate in our Ambassador Program.

The Sprint Ambassador Program is all about exploring our latest products and services and allows you to give direct feedback to Sprint.  We recently launched the Sprint Power Vision (SM) Network and want to provide you with the full experience, at no charge. Sprint Power Vision Network enables customers to download data at faster speeds and experience new data products.

So what’s the deal?
As a qualified participant, we will send you one Sprint Power Vision phone and provide you with six months of all-access service (at no charge). You’ll have access to the Sprint Music Store(SM) live TV broadcasts, gaming and more.  Yes, you will also have unlimited free calling and data service. It’s a pretty good deal and all we ask for in return is your candid feedback (you decide how much and how often).

Sure, I'll bite.  JJ did (and by linking to him, I guess that's how Sprint found me).  As Hugh points out, it's not a novel marketing move in general, but for Sprint, it's a big step.  The Sprint I've known and pitched in the past would not have done this.  So hats off to them.

I'll definitely talk about the experience.

Disclosure:  I currently us a Sprint/Nextel Blackberry, provided by my employer.  Sprint is not a client of ours; however, we have done project work for them in the past -- specifically for the long-distance group.  Our PR firm does work for the Sprint brand via having R.H. Donnelley as a client.  RHD bought the Sprint Yellow Pages from Sprint a few years ago (RHD uses the brand via a license from Sprint).  Our agency, and the team I manage specifically, actively promotes the Sprint Yellow Pages in several markets.  However, the Sprint Yellow Pages brand name is associated with the local telephone division of Sprint, which is now Embarq and is separate from the Sprint/Nextel wireless company.  So soon I won't be promoting the Sprint brand at all.  Clear as mud?  Bottom line, I don't believe my history with the Sprint brand precludes me from taking this offer or providing an honest assessment of the phone and service.  However, I'm open to anyone's disagreement with that and whether or not I should do this.  Please chime in.

Comments

[Wendy]

I say "go for it!" And maybe they'll contact me if I post this on your blog! :)