thejemreport.com — After Tribewanted was featured on Digg, I decided to check it out. Having spent two days researching it, and a brief email exchange with Tribewanted's PR, I felt that there were enough red flags to warrant an article on the matter.
Jun 19, 2006 View in Crawl 4
bndocksntJun 20, 2006
@ paniquein public relations, an attitude like that will find the door for you. in certain circumstances, such as crisis communications, you might be forgiven for not paying more attention to bloggers, but that's about it. welcome to the new world, many people now get their information from blogs in addition to traditional media outlets. many of those people are also opinion leaders, and need to be respected as such even if they are a minority. many minorities together can easily form a majority.snub away, just know you're wrong :)
estebanJun 20, 2006
I kind of agree, it is more of a blog or forum post than a serious journalist piece although it does raise some important questions about Tribe Wanted and might make some people think twice before sending their hard earned $$$s. If that article was in a national newspaper I think the author could quite easily be sued for libel.
drunkenoafJun 20, 2006
bindun?
mustardJun 20, 2006
fresh registration to post poorly thought-out praise on these people. You're not helping matters here.
quiplashJun 20, 2006
Having been watching tribewanted.com for several weeks, I'm thinking that what we're seeing may be simple ineptitude rather than scam. Even something as simple as designing and selling a T-shirt (to name just one thread in their forum) seems to get sidetracked and delayed. Perhaps Chief Bengazi and Chief Marika have bitten off more than they can chew already?After reading through Jem's blogpost article, I feel he's raised some very good points. If I had read something like that a couple of weeks ago, I might not have so eagerly signed up as a Tribal TV Viewer for US$18 (and I suspect a number of other people, not willing to shell out $220 for a Nomad membership, decided to dip their toe in the water this way.)If I lose my US$18, that's one thing. If somebody loses their US$660, that's quite another.Another thing: the tribe is growing very slowly, they're only at 764 members after several weeks of media coverage (which is likely to dwindle as the press moves on). There's every possibility that they won't reach 5,000 tribespeople by their deadline. It will be interesting indeed to see what happens then. Bankruptcy??
bdawg923Jun 20, 2006
Well, I wrote Imal an e-mail just like the writer of the article did and I received this reply: Hi ---, I can send you a press kit. Which publication are you writing for? What is your web site? Thank you, ImalI replied that I don't have a website and am writing for a local newspaper. I also asked for the press kit to be e-mailed to me. So either the writer of this article made it up, or Imal created a fake press kit.
smackfumasterJun 20, 2006
Who cares about your personal vendetta against some lame company that 'dissed' you. GET A LIFE!!!
douginozJul 6, 2006
I think I've read through (most of?) the comments in this blog, but they're almost all negative. A couple seemed to show some possible hesitation but almost exclusively there's only 'nay' votes here. Not sure why - I would have thought that a healthy debate has viewpoints from all sides. It could be that there's simply nobody so far that is looking at it as other than a scam, so I thought I'd add my pov to this thing to give some perspective.Firstly, I joined up. Mostly because I can afford to throw a few hundred away on an idea like this, and it strikes me as a great way to simply escape my normal geek life and go and do something different. I don't want to spend time on a beach or in a hotel, and the idea of helping to build something (like a boat, or a grass hut, or hell even toilets) appeals to me.To each his own, and no doubt there are a thousand different reasons for joining. If you cast your net far enough, you'll get enough people interested in an idea to make it happen.As for whether this is a scam or not, it might be. Yup. Dunno. Don't care. And that may be hard for the other posters here to grok - I just don't care if it's a scam. I'm happy to lose the money, and there must be others like me. I make a lot of money, and I'm willing to bet on this thing. I'm sure most of you have bet on things in your life, this is simply a larger amount than perhaps you're comfortable with.As to the business model, I agree it's shaky. It'll probably have all sorts of problems, but I think they'll be a result of the issues that the guys will face as they start turning an idea into reality. Most business ideas start off more as ideals than pragmatic, hardnosed, carefully calculated business proposals. Some of the best didn't have a business plan at all - they just evolve. In today's Internet age, these kind are simply more visible than before and there's more ability to scrutinise, and criticise, based on facts, factoids, suppositions, and accusations. But all that doesn't matter, because time will tell all. Withiin a couple of months we'll all know if it's a scam or not, or somewhere in between. The first flights are being booked and members are being asked to specify which week(s) they want. Since they're nowhere near the 5000 yet, you're pretty much guaranteed a reservation for the week(s) you specify. Just to clarify, there's a maximum of 100 people on the island each week - 52 weeks, 100 people, thus 5000. Ish.Money better spent elsewhere? Hell yeah, for some, or for most. Then again, I should probably have not bought that 400GB hdd, but what the hell, I like stuff.I suspect, in time, we'll all have a better perspective on this thing. Even if the original idea doesn't quite make it, and we all struggle with how it all works once we're there (and there are still many challenges to solve, like sanitation, habitation, etc.), it'll all be fun. And, if the thing collapses due to it being a scam or because the model fails, or a hundred other reasons, then I'll come back here and re-read your comments and try to become a little smarter.Hope you do the same.Douginoz.
stingersJul 19, 2006
Hmm. If it's a scam, then you can all gleefully congratulate yourselves that you kept your money in your pocket, and laugh at all of us who think it's worth a risk. If it's not a scam, then that's great - some people will have a great time and some good might be done. I trust that if and when you find out it's not, you'll all hold your hands up and say sorry. We'll all find out for definite when the first tribe members go to the island in six weeks time, won't we?I think there have been some valid points raised about the business structure - the project leaders say they decided not to try and raise capital from outside sources for fear of losing control of the business. I have no idea whether that's really the case (though I suspect it is), and some might say that it was a little naive to set up a company in this way. What I don't think is valid are the criticisms about the sort of holiday involved - has it occurred to the critics that tribe members might be looking for something different, out of the ordinary and unlike "proper" holidays?Anyway, it's an interesting debate on here - it would just be more interesting if people weren't so unremittingly suspicious and negative.PS BTW - some inaccurate remarks on here. The site DOES have a google cache. The website (the one for members) HAS discussed The Jem Report article in detail and without being censored. The tribe does NOT have to be 5000 strong to start in September. Oh, and membership is accelerating, not decelerating - 350 new members since the end of May.
daveeeeSep 1, 2006
‘First Footers’ land on Fijian Island to unite internet community with indigenous tribe and begin a unique social experimentOnly 5 months after launching Tribewanted, the first members have landed on the island and are now living and working alongside the real life indigenous Fijian tribe. In April of this year 2 young entrepreneurs, Mark James and Ben Keene, from the UK began www.tribewanted.com, a global search to create the world’s first online and offline tribal community. Only 5 months later, and with over 900 members already joined, 13 first footers from the US, the UK and New Zealand today landed on Vorovoro Island and took part in a historic ceremony as two tribes were united in paradise. One of the founders, Ben Keene, commented from Vorovoro Island: “Today has been like nothing I have experienced before. It is difficult to put into words. The traditional ceremony that was led by the Mali people here in Fiji to welcome and accept the Vorovoro tribe, represented today by 13 first footers, was full of passion and belief in what we are doing and achieving. To see over 100 local people and tribe members link arms and celebrate this unique partnership was incredible. To be able to present the tambua (whales tooth) to Tui Mali as our sevusevu (gift) was the greatest honour of my life.”He continued: “Shortly before the ceremony began, and within minutes of the First Footers landing on Vorovoro beach, our elected tribal Chief, Warren Wright (tribal name ‘Poques’), from London, opened the island’s first composting toilets and asked for 3 willing volunteers to come forward and ‘christen’ them! The design of the toilets were voted for by the tribe just 2 weeks ago and the local team finished putting the seats on just 30 minutes before the first footers landed!”He continued: “Chief Poques then presented Tui Mali with a wood carving of Vorovoro Island on behalf of the tribe before his elected deputy, Doug from Arizona, presented a selection of books that each tribe member had brought with them for the local school. The aim is to have created a library by the end of 5 years!”He continued: “After the traditional kava ceremony and meke dance, the first footers and local Fijians ate a Lovo, a feast of pork, chicken, beef, fish and vegetables that has been cooked in an underground oven. Delicious! The rest of the afternoon was spent chatting with new-found tribal friends, setting up camp and holding back the tears. Cold beers at sunset ended a perfect day, and signified the beginning of a new kind of partnership; one between an online tribal community and an indigenous tribal community. On the basis of today’s experience it is set-up to be an adventure of a lifetime for all involved.”Warren Wright as elected tribal chief, in his speech to Tui Mali: commented “Thank-you for an opportunity of a lifetime. We promise to protect your island environment and respect your traditional culture. We embrace your hospitality and feel part of your family. We are one tribe!”Tui Mali in his response to the first footers landing commented: “Normally there is a line in the sand. On the one side are tourists and on the other are Fijians. On Vorovoro today there is no line. We are one community and we will live, work and play together. You are generating employment in our communities, education in our schools and happiness in our homes. Bula Vinaka (you are very welcome)”Ben Keene continued: “September 1st really does see the culmination of so many peoples hard work and when I look back now at what we started in April I still have to pinch myself to truly believe what we have achieved so far. The great thing is that when I came to Fiji to start preparation work the local communities had all heard about what we are trying to achieve and have been amazingly supportive, from skilled building work right through to guidance on how to best get things done, they have been fantastic. Even though many of them don’t understand the internet, they understand what it means to be part of a community more than any of us. I hope we can show the world the respect and tradition that these people uphold.”Jo Tuomoto is the marketing manager of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, who have been supporting tribewanted since April said the following about the 1st September launch, “It is very exciting and it is all now about a dream turning into a reality, we’re extremely excited for the North of Fiji where tourism is sparse”.The whole purpose of Tribewanted is for the online tribe to work in partnership for 3 years with the neighbouring island tribe to build a sustainable island community. At the end of the 3 years, Tui Mali and his people decide on the future of the project, they will own all the infrastructure on the island. The www.tribewanted.com website now has a full community section where voting takes place on every aspect of what goes on. The launch in April was a huge success with media from around the globe wanting to know more to the extent that Ben was flown out to the USA to appear on a number of TV shows including NBC Today, Reuters News and Good Morning America. Tribe members are joining all the time from around the world. This week Ben Fogle, castaway star, adventurer and island-lover, got in touch with Ben Keene and said he would like to join the tribe and come out Fiji. Ben Fogle commented: “Its fantastic to see what these guys have achieved. I can’t wait to get out to Vorovoro and help out. It’s a brilliant project!”WELL DONE GUYS LETS HOPE THIS KEEPS GROWING!!!
joranSep 5, 2006
hah this is awesome after 1000 comments saying this was a scam it turns out not to be a scam at all.foot meet mouth.it all started cause they didnt think the jem report was worth the time to give an interview for.too funny.
yerbutnoNov 8, 2006
Yep, top stuff.The site is now packed with footage and podcasts and alike from over on the island as well.
nommoFeb 4, 2008
Is Jem a fiction writer? ;-)
scattyblondeFeb 5, 2008
Its not a scam, its all up and running and working really well, it is broadcast on the BBC. Your comments about the PR are complete rubbish, her spelling is just fine, she is English it is your dodgy American spelling that would be queried over here. I have worked in PR in this country (England!) and the way she handled your enquiry was entirely correct and usual!