Social Media Risk

In the Spring of 2008, United Airlines customer, Dave Carroll, witnessed baggage handlers throwing his $3,500 Taylor guitar. When Carroll finally reached his destination he opened his guitar case to find the guitar had in-fact been broken. For nine months he called customer support to receive compensation for his broken instrument. Finally, when he received his final “no” he vowed to make a music video about his negative experience and post it on the web for all to see.

As a prank, two Domino’s employees engaged in several health department violations, re- corded their activities and posted them to YouTube. The videos quickly “went viral” and consumers all over the web were exposed to Domino’s employees doing a variety of unseemly things to their pizza.

All of a sudden, people throughout the organization will have access to respond to customers and engaged consumers in real time. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. It’s like nuclear power – it can change the world in some really good ways, or it could totally destroy everything your brand has worked for. It depends on the people wielding this powerful technology.