Power to the People? Social Media and Public Relations

Here’s an interesting story about how social media is making it harder from companies (BP, in this case) to do damage control. Power to the people!

Or is it? Previous examples such as Exxon Valdez shows that time can heal all wounds when it comes to customer loyalty. And Toyota’s recall actually leveraged social media to rec-establish their image.

But remember the “United Breaks Guitars” YouTube video? I love how their anger was fueled into a great song that generated 8 million views. In the song he sings he argued with United for over a year.

So, short-term or long-term, social media does give power to the people. Use it wisely, friends.

And good luck, my public relations friends. It is not getting any easier.

Tags: BP, Exxon, power to the people, public relations, social media, Toyota