SEL: Danny Sullivan Weighs in on SEMPO Controversy

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July 29, 2004

Danny Sullivan Weighs in on SEMPO Controversy

Another great forum thread going on at Search Engine Watch's forum. Danny Sullivan gives his views...

Thought it might also be useful to again focus on what the scandals are in this whole thing:

1) Europe board member being appointed. I think I read elsewhere that Barbara did say that the board would itself appoint a European board member. So no scandal in that. Issue is was someone from Italy? As I said earlier, I doubt the board is going to have someone from every country that SEMPO has members. If so, then you've got a board of over 100 people.

2) Barbara being paid. Big issue if this happened before her public statement that it wasn't happening. Medium issue if it happened after that statement because she indicated she doubted the board would ever be paid -- but things do change. Big issue in that the members weren't told. The board probably has the complete right to do this. Mike at Jill's forum talked of acting "unconstitutionally." Actually, I would guess that the founding documents for SEMPO give the board members the right to do this. But not keeping the members informed of major actions like this, yep, that's a failure.

3) Board is self-appointed. This wasn't news to the members that joined, or it shouldn't have been. But it is an issue now. The fallout of all this is that the board itself is being called into question. Actual elections will help strengthen the group -- they should be done.

4) Lack of communication. Clearly members don't seem to have been well kept informed. That's got to be fixed.

5) Lack of focus. Clearly many members seem uncertain what SEMPO is doing, where it is heading. It's their organization, so they need to help drive it forward to do what they want.

By the way, 5 is also somewhat applicable to non-members. People outside SEMPO clearly have thoughts on what the group should or should not be doing. But it's the members who've actually stepped up to join and support the group, so it's ultimately up to the members how to drive it along. And the board is accountable to those members.

What is interesting is how much of a debate this has started. Not just the accusations in Mike Grehan's article, but a lot of pent-up frustration appears to be coming out. There appear to be 10 people criticizing SEMPO for every one defending them.

No one wants to see SEMPO go down the toilet, but they do want to see reform and an organization that truly represents EVERYONE in the SEM industry, not just a select few.

Andy Beal | permalink | +marktd |

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