October 31, 2005 in Media Orchard, Media Relations by Scott Baradell

SAVVIS Issues Letter of Apology Re: Scores Incident; Here’s My 10-Minute Rewrite

SAVVIS (or is it Savvis?), the St. Louis company that got hit with a lawsuit by American Express after the CEO refused to pay a $241,000 tab at the New York strip-club Scores, issued a statement in the form of a letter today.

Here’s my 10-minute critique: The missive says little and will be ignored. It’s framed as an apology, but doesn’t actually include an apology. It’s also too long by at least a third.

I was taught never to criticize without suggesting, so here’s a rewrite, free of charge:

To Our Customers, Employees and Shareholders:

This is a difficult time for SAVVIS. I know that you share my dismay over the details of our current litigation with American Express. While SAVVIS believes it will prevail in this lawsuit, we recognize that our CEO’s personal conduct has caused embarrassment.

On behalf of SAVVIS’ Board of Directors and management team, I apologize.

In the week since the Board asked me to serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer, I have talked individually and in small groups with hundreds of company employees, customers and shareholders. I have asked them how this incident has affected their perception of SAVVIS, and what I can do to set things right.

Virtually everyone I’ve talked to has given me the same marching orders: Be honest, be direct, and put this distraction behind SAVVIS as quickly as possible.

That’s exactly what we intend to do.

I have been encouraged by the heartfelt support I have received from all quarters — particularly from our employees. This company’s people, at all levels, have a passionate desire to reaffirm the true character — the good character — of SAVVIS to our customers and other stakeholders.

We will come back stronger from this; after talking with you over the past week, I have no doubt about that.

Sincerely,

Jack Finlayson

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