UPDATE June 15, 2009 1:07 p.m. ET
Geek Girls Guide posted an open letter and apology by Hoss Gifford and a followup by Dave Schroeder. Giddord also posted a copy of his presentation here.

Original article continued below…

Wired Magazine via Twitter said:

Above is a prime example of “Flirty Nerd” style and Wired’s name and ‘Star Wars’ became trending topics on Twitter on June 10.

A trending topic is a phrase or group of words that has been repeated so many times by various Twitter users that it becomes a real-time, online ‘trend.’

“Flirty Nerd” style is the use of geek and alike terms by women that is attractive to men. For example, a girl who alludes to her favourite gadgets in conversations and probably loves everything Apple. Or typically a girl who understands and would allude to Marvel, Star Wars or Star Trek in a savvy way using words or phrases like “into the Dark Side,” “young Padwaan,” “Live Long and [alternate word for ‘Prosper’ here],” “Sith happens,” “Like Rogue sucking the [insert word(s) of choice here] out of…” etc.

If the above is that popular, that sexy and that appealing, then Prude or Professional by Courtney Remes on Geek Girls Guide disturbs me and #FlashBelt just underwent a massive PR FAIL to a huge, potential audience who actually understand “them.”

At a recent Flash Developers conference in Minneapolis, aka ‘Flash Belt,’ attendees were subjected to keynote speaker, Hoss Gifford, whose humor was off-colour, lewd and lascivious.

As women, we can be as off-colour, lewd and lascivious as men – but there is a time and a place for everything.

}}} READ Original “Prude or Professional“ (orignal quote removed, as it offendend some of my readers) {{{

According to Geek Girls Guide, Flashbelt’s demographic is mostly young, white males. But does that make Hoss’ speech appropriate?

Absolutely not.

Furthermore, while you cannot control someone’s actions, you can screen their content prior to taking center stage. It does not seem as if this was done. PR FAIL

Event Planning 101 – Know your content. PR RULE

Event Planning 101.1 – Know your audience, and your potential audiences. PR RULE

Event Planning 101.1.2 – Do not alienate either one. PR FAIL

There is a time and, more specifically, a place for everything. Flashbelt’s keynote brouhaha is an example of what NOT to do…ever.

In a world where, women make up more than 50 percent of the population, are responsible for giving humans life and are increasingly sought after by the “Boys Club” in fields such as chemistry, mathematics, computer science, engineering and medicine because there are so few of them – why would you consider alienating them?

Women are known to be the main purchasers of a household: you appeal to them, you have their money. If you appeal to them, they will spend that money at your conferences and bring their friends. For as we all know, women travel in packs. Again, why would you consider alienating them?

Since when was objectification an acceptable practice in the work place, especially, since sexual harassment is illegal. Yes, the above is sexual harassment to any woman in the same room with Hoss during that speech.

Take it or leave it and call it like it is.

A crude, lower-crust, gutter-minded sexually appealing visual to make men hard, belongs in a porn store, on late night HBO, at the Playboy Mansion and in the slums.

It has no position in the workplace, much less at a professional conference. No excuses.

Public Relations fail? Major.

The thing is, this issue will not only affect FlashBelt, but similar conferences in male dominated areas as well. Think of a Domino Effect.

With over 18,000 unique visitors on the first day of the posting of the original statement on Geek Girls Guide, it is a guarantee that “pay it forward,” in this case, the spread of information, is stealthy, creeping throughout Girlworld.

Frankly, in my humble opinion, if calling me a “prude” means that I have self-respect, then by all means, label me a “prude.” I’d rather be a “prude” than allow myself to be objectified. If I allow myself to be objectified, Lord only knows, how you will treat me further.

So thanks for the offer, but no thank you.

I know your mummy taught you better than that Mr. Hoss and Team Flashbelt. Most of all, I am sure your mummy, who gave you life, wouldn’t appreciate her sex being used the way you seem to think allowable.

Very bad judgment, indeed. 

Let’s face it, ‘geek’ girls understand ‘geek’ guys. They talk the same talk and walk the same walk. But there is one very large difference between them: gender.

In the male dominated world of technology, sure, males are obviously the target audience, but those ‘geeky’ girls are a potential target audience, if not a secondardy target audience. There should be the same respect for women, as there is, or lack thereof, for men; an equal professional seat to sit in on.

It doesn’t really matter that David Schroeder, the Flashbelt organizer, has been PRoactively responsive, privately and publicly, to Geek Girls Guide, Courtney (whom the original statement belongs) or anyone else in an open letter on the Flashbelt site.

The reason?

The damage has already been done. The wound will heal, the blood split will be gone, but the scar will remain.

More women don’t venture into the male dominated fields, even if they can, because feel ostracized and uncomfortable in those areas. Some get use to being outnumbered 9-1, others do not. But as it is, the above just nailed one more “screw you” into the coffin. These ‘geeky’ girls will think twice before attending something similar to the event FlashBelt held. Furthermore, they are not worried about not learning the information handed out — remember these girls are ‘geeks,’ they read and will pick up a book to get the same knowledge required, rather, than risk the chance of feeling dirty and humiliated by a room full of men.

So where will their money go?  To the Barnes and Noble probably, or directly to Adobe Press.

If the “Tech Boys Club” finds girly Vulcan-chatter attractive, especially because the Vulcanettes understand the Vulcans, then do not alienate them. Simple.

Little Pink Book’s Rule of PR #10:
For every action, there is a reaction.
For every audience, you have a potential audience that is just as important.
(This is how to achieve development and growth.)
Do not alienate either one.
The rabid wildfire will come hard, fast and quick.
(pun obviously intended)

*The term ‘Flirty Nerd’ belong to Jennifer Wilbur.  

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Sasha Muradali runs the ‘Little Pink Book’ . She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and an M.A. in International Administration from the University of Miami. She loves Twitter and all things social media, so you should find her @SashaHalima.

Copyright © 2009 Sasha H. Muradali. All Rights Reserved.