Pharma Industry blog "Drug Wonks" Reacts to calls to fire Rost

In my prior post I described how industry consultant John Mack strongly suggested for Brandweek to fire me. So it was with surprise and delight I noted the following reaction over at DrugWonks, a pharma industry blog written by a PR executive:

"Best of Luck to Peter Rost. Really"

I don't get all the consternation about Peter Rost becoming a journalist as opposed to a blogger. Let the guy make a steady living. At least, unlike others in the media, he makes his viewpoint known, never gets ruffled and is not afraid to fire back when challenged. I don't agree with him but I will look forward to reading him in his new perch. Good luck to the "other" Peter.

http://www.brandweeknrx.com/2007/08/brandweek-shoul.html
Posted by Robert Goldberg on August 6, 2007 12:36 PM Permalink

And, perhaps I will surprise Mr. Goldberg. After all, we may have more in common than he expects . . .

- Peter Rost, M.D. is a former VP of Pfizer and the author of Killer Drug and The Whistleblower.

Comments

[John Mack]

I never strongly suggested that Brandweek fire you. Please let me know where you came up with that bit of misinformation. Who's checking your facts these days?

What I said was:

"IMHO, Brandweek should seriously consider the data I have presented above, because it signals that BrandweekNRX may lose some of its credibility and usefulness, especially among its most important audience: pharmaceutical executives.

"Of course, you have to balance that against all the great publicity and perhaps greater readability that Rost will bring to BrandweekNRX."

You can read it here:
http://pharmamkting.blogspot.com/2007/08/brandweek-hires-peter-rost-moves-to.html]

I think I deserve a retraction of that false accusation you have made.

[Peter Rost]

Oh, John, oh John.

You also wrote:

So Rost as BrandweekNRX blogger makes perfect sense... if you intend to flush your blog down the drain as far as pharmaceutical industry readers are concerned -- except for their lawyers, that is.

and you also wrote, "BrandweekNRX's readership will drop (perhaps after an initial transient uptick attributable to curiosity"

and . . .

"The notoriety, however, will not last long. Perhaps that's why Rost hints his stint at BrandweekNRX may only be a temporary assignment (ie, "for a while"). Maybe it's destined to last only until Brandweek sees the numbers from its own reader research!"

Are you SURE you don't want Brandweek to fire me?