I received the most interesting ‘form-letter’ invitation from "The Nestlé Digital Think Tank Team” today. Read it and let me know what you think (I bolded certain points). Skip to the bottom to get my thoughts.
 
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Dear Beth ,
 
We hope you're having a good week and were happy to have found your blog via Social Media today!
 
By way of an explanation, we wanted to get in touch given both your vast interest, expertise and knowledge of digital thinking, communications and marketing, to ask you if you would be interested in the opportunity of taking part in an exciting upcoming online venture.
 
Next week, we are a launching a unique, invitation-only online community called The Digital Think Tank and would love you to be part of it.  It is an online collaborative space in which you will be able to shape the future digital communications strategy of one of the world’s leading organisations; Nestlé.
 
Participants will have a unique chance to create the perfect brand for our new digital world, exchange knowledge and expertise with peers.
 
They will be able to:
 
* Inspire ideas and influence the thinking and strategy at the top of Nestlé
 
* Share ideas, debate with and meet likeminded people from around the world
 
* Receive prizes and rewards: our way of saying thanks for joining in!
 
We really hope you will join us.
 
To register interest in becoming a member, you simply click on the link below. Do let us know if you, or anyone else have any questions, which we'd be happy to answer.
 
www.digitalthinktank.org
 
Our sincere thanks,
 
The Nestlé Digital Think Tank team=
 
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Typos and bad grammar aside, which are unprofessional...this just made me laugh. Hasn’t Nestlé had enough bad experience in the social space without going here to offend a whole new group?
 
I’d love to know what agency convinced them that their brand is strong enough to garner FREE digital marketing advice. Hell, I can’t tell you the last time I used a Nestlé product...it has to be at least 15-20 years.
 
That said I am sure there will be folks who rush to this opportunity because they will see it, foolishly, as an “in” to join the dozens of other Nestlé agencies of record. And, let's not forget about the prizes and rewards! What are we? Twelve years old?!
 
The perception that social media allows ideas, content and thought leadership seems to be free flowing, doesn’t mean you have to be too. Digital marketers, have some pride. Don’t work for FREE.