Just got an e-mail. The Katharine McPhee Fan Club is closing down. And full refunds are going to be given back to your credit card company.

shocked....keeping quiet for now.....don't know what to say, really

tsk, tsk, tsk...not good. What are they thinking?

 It was a fanclub. Like most artist do, but things didn't fall through like they were supposed to, so for the ones that did join the fanclub, they will get their refunds back for what they payed for.

I hope this isn't coming out of Kat's pocket.

If so, she can keep mine.

This development is puzzling, as even minor or defunct bands have fan clubs.  I'm a member of the "Yazoo" (Alison Moyet/Vince Clarke) fan club and they haven't been together as a group in many, many years.

Considering Kat's popularity and movement into film, one would think that a fan club would almost be a given. 

OK, for those of you who don't know the full story, the McPhee Club is closing because it was being run by an outside management company, and Kat was not happy with the way it was being managed. People were promised certain things for their paid membership which were not delivered. So Kat decided to terminate the management contract, close down the club, refund the money, and get a fresh start with a new club under different management. No word on when the new fan club opens though.

Now that makes perfect sense.  A similar thing happened with Nascar driver Dale Jarrett several years ago.  Same scenario... He was dissatisfied with the service that the outside firm was giving his fan club and dissolved the fan club.  A new one, under a different mangement company was put in place shortly thereafter, with much better results.

I hope Kat takes her time and finds the right company.  Little things like fan clubs can make a big difference in your career.

While I am sorry to read this it was known to be coming and expected for quite some time. We all know about the lack of content and missed opportunities for the club and there is no need to go into that again. However I do think it will probably be a lot longer than some are expectng for a new club site to be opened. At this point there is nothing going on at all publically that would generate interest from new members. And the few active folks that were there have found new accomodations elsewhere. Plus with KMF and IDF being by far the most popular sites for Kat fans and by far the first choice for fans looking  for Kat news, there is no real necessity for another site repeating the same stories and news.  As sad as it is to say, if I wanted to see what was going on in Kat land I came here and IDF long before I went there and that scenario will continue long into the future. I'd love to have a great, active, fan club site for Katharine sometime in the future, I just think the wait will be longer than some hope for but it should be long enough that the promises and opportunities of such a site can be fully realized. Hey we have great well managed sites like this one so until we get some dramatic news and amazing content that warrants a fan paying for it we will all be just fine right here and elsewhere.

OK, time for the official fan club rep to weigh in here....I handled McPheeClub for those who were not members and don't know, and it opened on March 28th of 2007, and it was the hopes of Katharine that it would a true fan club with all the perks of having one for the fans as well as a place for fans to get together and connect as they continued to support her journey.  Unfortunately, as Bill Collan explained, the outside vendor who the site was placed with did not follow through on their end of the contract, and once this was brought to Katharine's attention a couple of months ago, she was upset over how it had been handled and that people didn't receive things they were supposed to get so she and her team pulled out of that company, and the fan club's online doors were closed as of today. 

Now, that being said, there will be another fan club site down the road in the future, and Katharine wants everyone reassured that it will be better than before and a place for the fans to reconvene.

As for those who on various other boards chose to pick the fan club apart and say it never should have existed and all sorts of incredibly rude and hurtful things, just know that those actions did nothing to help promote McPheeClub and it was very hurtful to the group of members there who did call it home and who were very loyal to it and to Katharine and who wanted to stay there.  Afterall, Katharine wanted a fan club, or it never would have been launched to begin with. 

But it will be back, only better this time and what a fan club should be.  When the exclusives are delivered, interaction with Katharine, fan club merchandise, ticket pre-sales, etc.--all of the things a fan club should be--it is the hopes that many more dedicated fans will want to include it as a part of their life in the world of Katharine McPhee fandom. 

Thanks.

Leah

I'm sorry Leah but nobody was rude. McPheeClub didn't provide a service that people have paid for so they had every right to complain and voice their opinion. Sure, that management company messed up but it was very clear that fans wouldn't get what was promised to them quite early in the game and some things probably could have been done without the involvement of the vendor to lessen people's disappointment. You can't blame anyone for voicing their opinion on Kat-related boards.

I think it would be best to concentrate on a solid official site as a starting point for people who are newly interested in Kat and to keep the existent (and hopefully growing) fan base updated with official news. A new fan club could be added to that structure a little later. But that's just me of course.

No, not just you, Teeners - me too. 

Also, I never saw anybody saying any "incredibly rude" or "hurtful" things.  I'll have to assume I'm one of those people you're talking about, Leah, since there were only a few of us who posted anything at all about the Official Fan Club.  I'm surprised that you're bringing it up again, particularly at this time - right as the criticism has been validated by the shutting down of the site.  It only confirms that we were right all along.

What I recall is that a few of us pointed out that it wasn't worth joining the Official Fan Club at that time because we didn't receive the things promised with membership.  None of the members ever expressed that the club shouldn't have existed or that they even regretted joining. 

If anybody read my post then and decided to hold off on joining the club at that time, I don't see how that can now be seen as a negative thing.  It saved them the trouble of joining and saved the company the trouble of refunding their money. 

No one is disputing the fact that Katharine wanted a fan club.  However, she wanted one that she could be proud of, and that wasn't it.  Based on what Kat posted in one of her MySpace bulletins, she would have appreciated knowing sooner that the club wasn't following through.

On November 5th, she posted this, in part:

"I know that there has been a really long delay with those fans that signed up for the fan club. All I can say is that I apologize. I didn't realize until recently that for those of you that signed up, you still haven't received anything. That is terrible. Please know that I am working on it and I hope to have things taken care of in the next couple of weeks. I am ultimately responsible and I have stepped in to try and get to the bottom of it. Please don't lose faith."

I for one appreciate very much that Kat has stepped up to fix something that was never right.  That says a lot about her, and I admire that.

Mutt and Tina, I agree completely. Unlike KMF or even IDF, McPhee Club was a business proposition. A part of the business that is now Katharine McPhee. And when complaints about a business are made they are directed at that business's management not living up to what they told the customers they would provide if they bought into that business. In no way is that being hurtful to the other customers in the least. It is sharing their frustration at the management of that business. And as has happened here if the management does not respond the business will fail. Leah none of this should ever be taken personally by the members there. Many of us here were members and did not feel that way at all. I posted there and enjoy the people there a great deal. I hope to continue chatting and posting with them in other places. But the information that was posted there I got sooner from other sources and the great majority of the types of perks you get by paying to belong to a fan club simply never materialized. None of the failings of the management of McPhee Club reflects in any way on the great membership it had. And no one should ever feel that way.

All of us who joined had high hopes for the Club and as Mutt points out the issues that were the ultimate downfall of the Club were realized shortly after it began and when they were pointed out by the members nothing was done to resolve them. And when Kat was finally made aware of them it was simply too late. Nothing could be done to save it and she wisely fired Ultrastar and closed the club. My point in my earlier post was that I think it will be quite a while before another one happens. And it should be as there are other things that need more complete and focused attention long before another Fan Club. Her official site has to be the focus point. She needs to grow her fan base and she needs to take time to develop the career that will justify what all of us hope we would get from a fan club. Merchandise, tickets, personal interaction etc, all the things McPhee Club promised and never delivered. That simply can not happen again. If it can't be done in a way to make Kat and her fans proud then it shouldn't be done at all. I never want to see essential aspects of her career growth be anything but top notch first class operations. She deserves the best and she should get it. The analogy can be made that say if Kat were to start a clothing line, it should only be a line she could be proud of and is of the quality she would wear herself and be proud to be seen in. And if that can't be done she shouldn't get into that business. Kat is first class, and she deserves first class quality and if she doesn't get it she needs to find people and vendors who will provide what she expects. And in that case someone complaining about the quality of a set of McPhee jeans is in no way being hurtful to the other customers who bought those jeans.

But its time to move on now, learn from the mistakes made here and hopefully focus our attention on making the future as bright as we all see in the glow that surrounds this amazing woman.

Amen uplink2very good post

One thing I would like to say is that Leah was a inspiration to us all at the Fan Club her dedication to trying to make a Fan Club work that showed signs of not following thru on promises was difficult for her. I for one applaud Leah and her efforts for trying to make a vision work with little help from the outside vendor. The one part of her post was this that I find very true "as well as a place for fans to get together and connect as they continued to support her journey" friendships were made and a bond was made with some of the people at the Fan Club. So to say that the Fan Club did not live up to expectations I say that in one part it did. Thanks again Leah for the memories that we made there and for the memories that we continue to work towards!!!!!!!!

Gazzoo

I'm glad that there will be a fan club in the future, because I love all things Kat so I'll enjoy it. But I've always had a problem when fans are viewed in a poor light for speaking their mind      I don't know, maybe it's just me, but a Kat fan asking questions about things, expressing concern or disconcern, or joking etc., should be expected from a diverse group of people and I don't think after all this time we need to question the loyalty of our fellow fans or their intent. I will say that I hope more fans join the next fan club. I think a lot of people were intimidated and afraid to be themselves and less comfortable than they are on KMF or IDF in fear of Kat peeking in or whatever, but I don't think we need to be afraid. Kat has been funny, sassy, outspoken, easy going etc in all the interviews, blogs etc we've witnessed. Why would anyone think she wouldn't want us to be the same or "free" to be the same? I think she'd love the "last one to post, loves Kat the most" threads as much as the "Kat butt shot" pics lol It's what fans do...do you really think George Clooney's boards or fan clubs don't have those kind of threads? Does it mean they disrespect him? Of course not. Kat is a grown woman, with a great personality and look on life, and we could all learn a lesson from that. (Sorry but I needed to vent this and I put it here...so now you're forced to read it HAHA ...love you xoxo).

Since it's only one or two months away from the yearly membership agreement, I hope like Bill, that she isn't stuck with the refund, I'm sure spent a lot of money for it already. If we find out that's true, I think I'll donate the refund to her charity.

Weasie, I think that is a terrific idea. As a sign of love for Kat and respect to the dream of what the Fan Club should have been and hopefully will become when it is done right next time, I'm going to donate my refund to McPhee Outreach/Lollipop Theatre Network.

I would like to throw out a little historical data, back in Fall 2006 a group of KatPackers met in  online meetings to discuss her Fan Club and Street Team and were working with a contact at RCA.  There were big plans for Katharine and everyone was excited for her upcoming CD debut, launch of her fan club, etc.; however, RCA decided not to open a Fan Club because they  are steering away from doing that, and Katharine went with an alternative vendor, UltraStar.   Perhaps, Katharine should have waited a little longer to launch her Fan Club until she really had her arms around everything in the online community. 

Kat was a busy girl in the Spring/Summer - touring, photoshoots, charity appearances/performances, etc. and she was building her team with - Untitled, RCA and UltraStar.   Shortly into the "Over It," run a change of hands took place at RCA and the Street Team lost contact with them, we kept e-mailing and following up hoping to hear about a replacement to no avail.  Then the Fan Club was launched, we were all excited and thrilled that we'd have a chance to win a phone call with Katharine, get an exclusive gift, win Meet & Greets, etc.  and that excitement fizzled quickly when the Fan Club didn't deliver.  There were issues with the Meet & Greets and Leah tried her best to resolve those quickly with UltraStar and Kat's Touring Manager/Bodyguard,  Dorian (Big D).    Then UltraStar failed to deliver some CDs to some contest winners and Leah followed up with them and they promised her they'd send them out right away, which took a bit of time, but Leah kept after them.  There were a few different contacts she dealt with at UltraStar who promised to take care of things, but they didn't, so here Leah sat frustrated at the inquiries/complaints coming into the Kat desk, but her hands were tied because UltraStar wasn't following through. 

We got some sporadic updates at McPhee Club, had a few contests, and people were inquiring whether or not they should spend the money to join.  I know people posted at IDF and KMF that maybe they should wait until the Fan Club really delivers and Katharine becomes completely engaged, I know I was one of them and a few others.  Our girl, Kat, had many things going on during the summer - filming her movie, lining up appearances with charities, Christmas shows, photoshoots, etc. and she wasn't fully aware that her vendor, UltraStar wasn't following through as promised. 

Sure, Katharine could have been more on top of things and been more engaged with McPhee Club, but she's a young chick and a rookie in the entertainment business and I'm sure Guy Oseary was keeping her busy with other priorities, so meantime, the members of her Fan Club waited patiently for Katharine to show up over at McPhee Club.  In late Fall she was made aware that UltraStar wasn't delivering and she was kind enough to post a bulletin with an update and apologized that the promises her Fan Club made didn't transpire.  Katharine and her team decided to fire UltraStar and refund the membership fees because they didn't follow through with their contract.  I think this was very professional and sincere on Katharine's behalf to make this decision and basically, notch it up to - Fan Club #1 was a bust, and let me launch another one, when I'm good and ready, that will  deliver. 

Back in Summer of 2006, Leah was selected by Katharine and Nicholas Cokas to be the Fan Liaison/Fan Club Representative for the fans to communicate with.  Some people felt Leah wasn't the best one for this role because she's too conservative and wasn't an active chatter in the old "Kat Chats" we had at KMF and then AIM.  Actually, selecting Leah was a wise decision on Katharine's behalf because although she may not have been actively participating with the fan base in the chatrooms, she was still kept aprised and "in the know" of the fans opinions, concerns, etc.   I want to remind you that Katharine and Nick selected Leah because obviously they felt they could trust her, and she would keep the things that need to be kept confidential, confidential and she'd keep the fans aprised of news when it could be made public. Leah is the one who was chosen to communicate directly with Katharine's team and to handle Kat's Customer Service and The Kat Desk.  Leah got the complaints and e-mails that people were posting that they shouldn't join McPhee Club because it's not worth paying the money, etc.  Sure, she may have taken some things too personal, but she was selected for this role and she tried her damndest to get those prizes to those that won contests, M&Gs, etc.  So, of course, she's going to get a little sensitive when fans send her emails that people are posting they shouldn't join, etc. because the Fan Club is a joke, yada, yada, yada.  We were all hoping that UltraStar would get their act together, but they didn't, so meantime, we all sat patiently for Katharine to become engaged with McPhee Club and it didn't happen.  A business decision was made to pull the plug for now, and a new and improved club will be launched when all the ducks are in a row, "t's" crossed and "i's" dotted.  The new club will offer the exclusives, contests, chats, chances to win M&Gs, priority ticket sales, merchandise, etc.   Perhaps, Katharine launched a Fan Club too soon when she was so busy with her promo, photoshoots, movie roles, etc., but what's happened has happened.  So, now it's time to move past all this and for Katharine to work closely with her team, Leah and the new vendor to launch a new and improved Fan Club.

I know this was rather lengthy, but I felt it was necessary to clarify how things went down.  We all have our opinions and can post what Katharine should and shouldn't do, but let's all try to support the decisions Katharine makes.  Also, this is a time we can give our suggestions on what we would like to see at the new Fan Club and for the fans to have a voice.  Sure, 2007 didn't turn out the way we thought it would, but Katharine McPhee is a business and sometimes the goals run into some obstacles along the way.  We're in 2008, now, so let's all band together and continue to support Katharine and "Each Other" because we are all crazy Kat Kousins in this big dysfunctional family.

LOL, Mama Al . . . the "infamous" butt-crack shots got me in sooooo much trouble.  But, like you said others can say and post what they want, and I may have "bitchslapped via the net" a member at IDF because in "my opinion," I thought it was disrespectful, but that was my right just as much as it's others rights to post pictures of her buttcrack.  Geez, Kat little did I know you playing with Nena and wearing your low-riding jeans would get me in so much trouble amongst your fan base.    Sometimes, I get a little too opinionated and I upset others because I speak my mind, but I still love everyone, I mean we are afterall, Kat Kousins and we all may not get along, but we can "agree to disagree" and muddle through this wacky world of the "Wild, Wild West" on the internet where everyone has a voice and can say and post what they want.  I guess I just need to be a little more wiser in what I post, so I don't rile up the fanbase, and just so you know, "I love all the troublesome male fans!"    So, can we all move past that?  I honestly didn't mean to cause such an uproar, I posted that while I was in the heat of an argument and I admit it was hurtful and I sincerely apologize to those who I offended by that infamous comment.

I've always felt that way when anyone says that people shouldn't be doing those kinds of things.  Or that it's disrespectful to Katharine, etc, etc.  Now, if you think...that's fine but I think everyone needs to understand that the people spending all this time talking about everything Katharine are doing all of this stuff because they love Katharine.  Maybe sometimes it crosses the line but...I seriously doubt Katharine would have ever been offended by anything that's ever gone on anywhere and she doesn't need to be protected from seeing things at any site that is one of HER fan sites.  Other places?  Yeah, I guess but...I think she'd want to know what her fans are thinking and if they want to laugh about something like those pictures or seriously discuss what RCA dropping her means...that's what these places are there for.

As for the "Should she have a fan club?" question.  Well, she should of course.  But it needs to be well-run, well-organized, well-funded...etc, etc.  If that's not the case, she's better off without one.  I think that's a pretty fair request.

Oh...and I think that's a great idea about donating the refunds to the Lollipop Theatre/McPhee Outreach.  I wasn't counting on getting that money back anyway so...it's not like I would miss it.