January 16th, 2012
Social Media and Corporate Woes
By Yvonne Lenton (Special to Deraney PR)
When it was first developed, social media was jumped on by any company with a little bit of marketing savvy. It is not that often that an entirely new marketing medium comes along, and so the opportunity to use these entirely new channels of communication. Social media began as something that young people used to chat to each other during lunch-break, and then it became something that marketers wanted to get in on, as quickly as possible.
Where marketing people go, everyone else who wants to get noticed follows. And so now, social media is used by every celebrity, every politician and every company (right down to the local grocery store) when they want use to know something. It can be used for marketing and for reputation management by anyone who people want to listen to. It can also be used to unwittingly damage reputations, either of the user or the company they work for, in a way that few other media forms can. Customers and others can also quickly cause damage using social media channels.
Damaged Reputations
There have been many cases of employees – sometimes accidentally and sometimes maliciously – damaging their employers’ reputations through their use of social media. Most people who name their employer on their personal Twitter account will put a disclaimer on there for exactly this reason: nobody wants to be the one who gets sacked because of a careless comment. People often forget when they write a tweet that they are not just speaking to a few friends, but to the whole world.
Even entirely innocent actions have the potential to cause some damage or anger. Volunteers who will be working at the London 2012 Olympic Games have been asked by bosses not to show share details or pictures of their experiences online while they are working at the games. The concern is that athletes’ privacy could be breached. This demonstrates the inter-connected nature of social media, and the way that one action can lead to a much bigger chain reaction.
This can create a situation where paranoia and distrust are rife. While the Olympic organisers’ worries may be well have good foundations, John Flexman would never have thought that he might suffer due to his use of social media. All he did was upload his CV to LinkedIn, and tick the box marked looking for ‘career opportunities’. Pretty much every LinkedIn user does the same. However, Flexman ended up being fired for his efforts. It seems as if the joke may be on his employers, energy firm BG, as Flexman is disputing the dismissal and the case is now, inevitably, being discussed on social media. So perhaps it is BG who will come out of this the more damaged?
Online Arguments
Social media lends itself to quite ugly and very public arguments at times. Very public spats can end up taking place between celebrities, sportspeople and politicians. Sometimes deliberately provocative commments are made by one party, starting the row, but sometimes they seem to develop out of nothing. Either way, they can be highly entertaining. Take this example of a spat between Kim Kardashian and Demi Moore over the use of a word.
These celebrity spats might be funny, but for companies, social media can be a very dangerous tool in the wrong hands. Its marketing power can cause marketing disasters. Because social media works fast, it can be really hard to control problems if they arise. As detailed in this article, one person can quite easily cause a huge social media storm that it is often difficult for companies to deal with.
So, if a disgruntled customer causes your company’s reputation damage online, how do you deal with it? Well, ideally you’d avoid it in the first place, of course, by making sure you don’t give them anything to complain about. If the worst does happen, the key is to be open, honest and credible. Exactly as you would if you were dealing with a complaint in person, though of course the stakes are a higher as everything is public. Don’t allow yourself to get defensive, show that you are genuinely listening and that you are doing something concrete to fix the problem. You can’t fix problems with a tweet, but you can let people know about how else you’ve fixed them.
Tags: Demi Moore, John Flexman, Kim Kardashian, Olympics, Reputation Management, Social Media, Yvonne Lenton
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October 14th, 2011
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 2011 HONOREE FOR THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA AWARDS
SUNDAY OCTOBER 16, 2011
10:00AM – 10:15 AM (ET)
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM (ET)
GALAXY 16-TRANSPONDER 14C (C-BAND ANALOG)
D/L FREQUENCY: 3980 V
TROUBLE: 202 641 9840
(HD QUALITY VERSION AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD, PER REQUEST)
WHAT: On Saturday, October 15th, the annual EMA Awards will take place to honor film and television personalities, productions, musicians and musical tours that convey environmental messages in the most creative and influential ways. This year, the EMA’s are honoring Justin Timberlake who will receive the EMA Futures Award. Other nominees for awards include The Good Wife, Real Time with Bill Maher, DisneyNature African Cats, Hot in Cleveland, Futurama, Nurse Jackie, The Biggest Loser and The Bubble Guppies.
The footage will contain:
- Soundbites from Justin Timberlake
- Performance footage and Red Carpet Arrivals
- Awards ceremony
WHO: Honorees Justin Timberlake and Marc Nathanson; Hosts Emmanuelle Chriqui, Perrey Reevesand Constance Zimmer; Additional talent includes Emily VanCamp, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden,Madeleine Stowe, Amy Smart, Aubrey Plaza, Kim Raver, Daryl Hannah, Matthew Rhys, MehcadBrooks, Nick Offerman, Carter Oosterhouse, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, Ed Begley Jr., Frances Fisher and more.
WHAT: 2011 Environmental Media Awards
WHERE: Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA
ABOUT THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA AWARDS: Since their inception in 1991, the Environmental Media Awards have evolved into a prestigious event, honoring individuals and organizations, as well as films, television productions and their creative teams that increase public awareness of environmental issues. The October 15th event will also showcase film and television programs that have carried a positive, environmentally friendly message in the past season. A full list of EMA Award Nominees is available at www.ema-online.org. The 2011 EMA Awards are presented by Toyota and Lexus. Additional sponsors include: Brita FilterForGood, Earthbound Farm, entwine, KB Home, Mike Sullivan’s LAcarGUY Family of Dealers, Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Patron Spirits Co., Plant With Purpose, Scripps Networks, SodaStream, Southern California Edison, Star Waggons, Stila, Tiffany & Co., Ultimat Vodka, VeeV Açaí Spirit.
For more information, please contact Danny Deraney at danny@dannyderaney.com
Tags: EMA Awards, Justin Timberlake
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October 10th, 2011
We are going to do a Satellite Media Tour with Rob Lowe to promote a new short that he Directed, Butterfinger the 13th.The movie, will launch in 500 theatres nationally in a double feature with Jack the Ripper. The movie will also launch on Facebook the same day.
The SMT times are from 9AM to 12:00 PM Eastern on October 13th. Synopsis of the movie is below. LA in-studio interviews are welcome.
“BUTTERFINGER® the 13th,” the first comedy-horror film created and produced by one of America’s iconic candy brands, premieres today on Facebook for more than one million members of the Butterfinger fan page. In a new development with NCM Fathom Events, “Butterfinger the 13th” also will run on 500 movie screens nationwide as part of a limited engagement through Halloween, including the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, which today hosted a special premiere screening.
Opening for the “Jack the Ripper” documentary feature on select screens, “Butterfinger the 13th” will shock fans, leaving them screaming for more horror, laughs, thrills – and more Butterfinger – from a new villain, the Butterfinger Butcher. The film’s director Rob Lowe, actor, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, peaked fans’ interest earlier this summer at San Diego’s popular comic book convention, where he promoted the movie and directed scenes for the film starring real Butterfinger fans.
“The tremendous response from fans wanting to be a part of ‘Butterfinger the 13th’ has been wonderful,” said Lowe, who returns this fall in the next season of NBC’s hit show Parks and Recreation.”
In addition to today’s film premiere on Facebook and in theaters, “Butterfinger the 13th” also will appear on Crackle, the multi-platform video entertainment network by Sony Pictures Television, and FEARnet, the world’s premiere destination for horror, thriller and suspense. Combined with the frightfully fun direction by Rob Lowe and a mix of fan-created, horrifyingly funny content, “Butterfinger the 13th” brings to life the film’s tagline, “You can’t scream with your mouth full.”
Now movie-goers and comedy-horror aficionados will have the opportunity to watch the frightening demise of the film’s characters unfold, and discover what really happened at the once-cheerful Camp Honey Badger. Viewers will embark on a perilous journey with the film’s hero, whose paranoia leads him to believe that someone wants to lay a deadly finger on him… in more ways than one.
“Not only does ‘Butterfinger the 13th’ continue to draw big buzz and interest from major studios and theater chains, but we are thrilled to have so many fans directly engage with Butterfinger through this truly one-of-a-kind, crowd sourcing project,” said Butterfinger spokesperson Tricia Bowles, Nestlé USA Confections & Snacks. “Fans can finally see today what Rob Lowe and Butterfinger have created in a terrifyingly thrilling silver screen experience.”
More information about “Butterfinger the 13th” is available at Facebook.com/Butterfinger.
Tags: Butterfinger, Facebook, Golin Harris, Rob Lowe
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August 19th, 2011
****** LIVE SATELLITE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY ******
Wednesday August 24, 2011 7:00-11:00 a.m (ET)
SAMHSA TO HONOR GIFFORDS’ AIDE AND
TUCSON MAYOR AT THE 2011 VOICE AWARDS
National award program will recognize Ron Barber, Mayor Robert Walkup, TV and film screenwriters and producers, and community leaders for raising awareness and understanding of trauma recovery and mental and substance use disorders
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will honor Ron Barber, district director for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and survivor of the January 8 Tucson shooting, with a Special Recognition Award at the 2011 Voice Awards on August 24 for his work to promote mental health awareness and understanding. In addition to Barber, SAMHSA will recognize Tucson Mayor Robert E. Walkup and his wife Beth for their ongoing efforts to help Tucson and the nation heal from the traumatic events of the shooting.
Since 2005, this event has brought together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community for an evening of awareness-raising about the contributions people living with mental and substance use disorders make to their schools, workplaces, and communities.
The award program honors writers and producers who have given a voice to people with mental and substance use disorders by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions. This year, SAMHSA will spotlight programming that highlights stories of mental illness, substance use, and trauma resiliency and recovery. Finalists include “The Fighter,” “The King’s Speech,” FOX’s “Glee,” NBC’s “Harry’s Law,” ABC’s “Private Practice,” and HBO’s “Treme.”
The Voice Awards also will celebrate the achievements of consumer/peer leaders who are working to promote social inclusion of their peers and offer hope that people can and do recover from mental and substance use disorders.
For more information go to: www.voiceawards.samshsa.gov
AVAILABLE INTERVIEWS:
About Roger Wolfson: Roger Wolfson exemplifies the best of the entertainment industry in both his professional and personal life. One of the most sought after TV writers and producers in Hollywood, he is currently working on the USA TV Series “Fairly Legal,” having previously written for “Law and Order: SVU,” “Saving Grace,” and “The Closer,” where one of his episodes earned Kyra Sedgwick an Emmy Nomination. Prior to working in Hollywood he worked tirelessly for Senators Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, Paul Wellstone and Edward Kennedy to support mental health and substance abuse legislation to benefit underserved populations like children.
About Paolo Del Vecchio: A self-described consumer of mental health services and survivor, Paolo Del Vecchio serves as associate director of consumer affairs at the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has shared his inspirational story about growing up in a home with a mother who was once placed in a state hospital and forced to endure electroshock therapy and insulin injections and a father who was an undiagnosed alcoholic.He has a unique perspective on SAMHSA’s mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
TO BOOK THIS LIVE INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT: Danny at Danny@dannyderaney.com
Tags: Glee, Roger Wolfson, Ron Barber, SASHMA, The Kings Speech
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July 12th, 2011
TOP HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES GATHER FOR
GATORADE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS IN HOLLYWOOD
Prep Stars Honored Among Pros on Sports’ Biggest Awards Day;
Matt Stafford, Kevin Love, Lisa Leslie, Jessica Mendoza and Allyson Felix
Present 9th Annual Award
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST
GAL 19 / Transponder 10
C-Band ANALOG
Downlink Freq: 3900 H
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
Gal 19 / Transponder 10
C-Band ANALOG
Downlink Freq: 3900 H
The biggest names in high school sports will convene in Hollywood as Gatorade honors the top prep male and female athletes. The ninth annual Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year awards serve as a prelude to The ESPY Awards.
For 26 years, Gatorade has recognized America’s elite high school students for their athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character with the Gatorade Player of the Year award. Amongst Gatorade Player of the Year award alumni, fans will discover names like Peyton Manning, Candace Parker, Alonzo Mourning and Lisa Leslie. These champions represent only a handful of exceptional talents who were first recognized by the Gatorade Player of the Year program before shining at the highest levels of competition. More than 11,000 state and 234 National Players of the Year have been honored for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. As part of this year’s festivities, the nominees will walk the red carpet, which will be seen prior to The ESPY Awards and winners will receive their awards at a dinner emceed by ESPN’s Stuart Scott.
This year’s nominees for the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year Awards include:
Female
Volleyball – Krista Vansant, Redlands, CA
Cross Country – Aisling Cuffe, New Windsor, NY
Basketball – Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Santa Ana, CA
Soccer – Morgan Brian, St. Simons, GA
Softball – Paige McDuffee, The Woodlands, TX
Track & Field – Amy Weissenbach, Studio City, CA
Male
Football – Justin Worley, Rock Hill, SC
Cross Country – Lukas Verzbicas, Orland Park, IL
Basketball – Brad Beal, St, Louis, MO
Soccer – Luis Rendon, Midlothian, VA
Baseball – Dylan Bundy, Owasso, OK
Track & Field – Gunnar Nixon, Edmond, OK
Past winners of the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year Awards are:
- 2003 – LeBron James (Miami Heat) and Allyson Felix (USA Track & Field)
- 2004 – Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks)
- 2005 – Greg Paulus (Ohio State Coaching Staff) and Cynthia Barboza (USA Volleyball)
- 2006 – Greg Oden (Portland Trailblazers) and Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun)
- 2007 – Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx)
- 2008 – Matt Barkley (University of Southern California) and Chanelle Price (University of Tennessee)
- 2009 – Garrett Gilbert (University of Texas at Austin) and Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame)
- 2010 – Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons) and Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford)
B-roll footage of event includes (Wednesday Feed):
Footage of trophy presentations
Athlete of the Year award winner soundbites
Matthew Stafford, Kevin Love, Lisa Leslie, Jessica Mendoza &
Allyson Felix soundbites
B-roll footage of event includes (Thursday Feed):
Footage of trophy presentations
Athlete of the Year award finalist and winner soundbites
Footage of the 12 finalists walking the ESPYs red carpet
Since 1985, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has honored State & National Players of the Year in football, volleyball, boys & girls cross country, boys & girls soccer, boys & girls basketball, baseball, softball, and boys & girls track & field. Now in its ninth year, the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year awards honor the nation’s top male and female high school athletes, chosen by a panel of sportswriters and commentators.
For more information on the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year Awards, or the Gatorade Player of the Year program in general, visit www.playeroftheyear.gatorade.com. To request a hard copy or for more information, please contact Danny Deraney at danny@dannyderaney.com
Tags: Allyson Felix, Athlete of the Year, Gatorade, Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year, Kevin Love, Matthew Stafford, Peyton Manning, The ESPY Awards
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