“Because next time, it could happen to us.”

I’ve had dozens of comments from a good mix of sales and marketing folks on this post across social channels. The sentiment seems nearly universal that taking the high road would have been the smarter alternative.

In my personal opinion, I think companies like Act-On have to rely on this type of situation/tactic in order to generate more interest in their own product – when it has already exhausted the traditional means of marketing – without success. Also, the email the SDR sent includes some inaccurate information. I’d consider it unethical at worst, and “slightly” clever at best. I imagine the SDR is relatively new in the business world whereas a more seasoned person in sales would use this situation selectively rather than casting a wide net with it (as you suggested). If this is the best email they can craft to send to all of Marketo customers, then Marketo is probably in good shape in the long run.

In my personal opinion, I think companies like Act-On have to rely on this type of situation/tactic in order to generate more interest in their own product – when it has already exhausted the traditional means of marketing – without success. Also, the email the SDR sent includes some inaccurate information. I’d consider it unethical at worst, and “slightly” clever at best. I imagine the SDR is relatively new in the business world whereas a more seasoned person in sales would use this situation selectively rather than casting a wide net with it (as you suggested). If this is the best email they can craft to send to all of Marketo customers, then Marketo is probably in good shape in the long run.