A Reality TV Show about Debt Collectors? Really?
I get a lot of interesting email in my position as Editor of insideARM.com. Besides all of the bizarre news that we opt not to run, I get letters from consumers who think I should personally keep all collectors in check and letters from collectors telling me that it’s my job to make sure every consumer pays their debts. And lots, and lots of spam, of course.
It’s not just spam, but what I like to call “next level” spam. I’m not talking about the blatant Nigerian prince stuff or offers to expand (or deflate) certain parts of my body. No, these are messages that look somewhat legit at first glance, but turn out to be cleverly-worded solicitations or something similar.
And that’s what I thought I was looking at in my inbox a couple of weeks ago – on April Fool’s Day, no less. A producer of reality TV shows was interested in picking our collective brain about a possible program involving debt collectors. “Well, this is fake,” I thought.
But it’s not. As was explained in the email, reality TV producers are looking for personalities to highlight in their shows. And this particular producer thinks there might be an opportunity in the debt collection industry given the right personality. Specifically, this production company focuses on shows that explore interesting work processes.
The ARM industry certainly does have an interesting process. No problem there. But I wonder what kind of personality they are looking for.
As with most things, this could be an opportunity for the industry to humanize the work collectors do. If the right person was showcased, it could be a really good thing. But if the wrong person was picked…well, we all know what would happen.
Any suggestions on that right person? Or is this even a good idea in the first place? We’re all ears.
UPDATE: Wow. This article has been live for about an hour and we’ve already had overwhelming response. So I guess I’ll be calling that producer.
In the meantime, a lot of people appear to want to shed some positive light on the ARM industry. We have just launched a contest that will allow you to do just that. We’re looking for the best stories from debt collectors, preferrably ones where a collector really helped out a consumer on a complicated case. Or it can be funny. Whatever. We’ll put the best five or so up to a vote and the winner will get a $50 gift card to Amazon.com.
It’s just the first in a series of contests we’ll be running through the spring and summer. Go to http://www.insidearm.com/go/story-contest for more info and to submit a story.
I have toyed with this idea for almost two years. I believe I know what they are looking for, I’m not sure they want to entirely “humanize the work” however that would come into play.
It would almost certainly have to be a commercial rather than consumer orientated back drop due to privacy issues.
Even if the right person was picked, you are still at the mercy of what they will be trying to portray, and I can’t believe they will be trying to “humanize” the bill collector. I say stay very far away from this one.
Patrick, I think this would be a great idea, as long as the “right” person is chosen. Let me explain OUR version of the right person.
We have been working with collection agencies to select and retain the right people. First, we determine the unique behaviors, values and attributes necessary for success on the job, then we measure candidates (and current team members) for their proximity to those measurements. Those who are closer to this “benchmark” learn faster, earn faster and are more productive and happy in their positions.
IF, IF, the person(s) chosen are a good “fit” for the position, they will be less inclined to resort to “tactics” or other nefarious schemes to collect.
Better “job fit” people are are the people viewers should see!
Because of who you are, InsideARM is in a unique position here to help “control” the message and help shed a positive light on the industry.
Happy to help in any way we can!
I think it is a good idea, if they
play fair. Trouble with the all the negative media we get now, how can we trust that anyone would do anything favorable for our industry. I would suggest they look at small agencies to work with
versus the huge ones. I might actually watch a reality show if they did one like that, otherwise I think there are way to many reality shows now.
Nope, will always end up with the lowest common dominator. Watching someone doing a good job collecting isn’t engaging. Watching some dope ‘go off’ on a debtor is. Just look at the Real Housewives.
I’ve thought of this many times in the past and even have a name for the show “The checks in the mail”
There’s only one way to make any kind of television production about debt collections watch-worthy, and that is by making debt collectors evil villains that watchers can boo on screen. Really bad, bad idea.
This would make for boring T.V. The “RIGHT PERSON” would put the audiance to sleep b/4 the 1st commercial. We are in a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” industry. How many thank you notes do you get vs calls and letters of complaint or lawsuits. You will never convince anyone what we do is good or has any benefit. Anyone who has cash to fund an idea like this would get their 15 minutes in the spotlight and more benefit if they took that money and paid a bunch of bills for people in their hometown or donated it to a charity of their choosing.
This could be a great opportunity to really try to help turn around the “bad” perception of collectors – I am all for it!
Where do we sign up?
I believe the producer wants entertaining TV to keep a show on the air. I have to agree with several of the above posters that this will not bode well for our industry or for any individual portrayed in the show. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10 foot pole.