The pitfalls of cussing in the workplace

Profanity in the office is unprofessional. It's lowbrow and uncouth. Educated people shouldn't resort to foul language to communicate their unhappiness or frustration. There's a whole world of words out there that don't escalate arguments or take conversations in a volatile direction.

For the last six days straight, the web has been buzzing over the PR agency vice president who called a blogger an effing bee in an email (I've cleaned it up, but the guy used the real f word and b word). If you don't know the story, check it out on PR Daily, Gawker, or Business Insider. In short, his agency made a silly and untargeted pitch to the blogger, the blogger sent a snarky response, the agency rep said they'd steer advertising opportunities away from the site, and then the VP accidentally hit reply all and called the blogger an f***ing b***h (again, the asterisks are mine; he wrote the actual words). Needless to say, the blogger unleashed social media Armageddon on the company and the backlash against the agency has been mind blowing.

Industry publications have latched on to this story, calling out the veep and using the exchange as an example of how not to engage with bloggers. However, let's look at it another way. What if the guy hadn't cussed? Suppose he had said any one of the following things instead:

• "My gosh! Her response was unpleasant and unnecessary!"
• "Let's be sure to never pitch that woman again!"
• "Wow. That was a little over the top."
• "Onward and upward, troops. You can't win them all!"

Instead, he wrote, "What a f***ing b***h!"

These four little words have turned this guy's world upside down. He's deleted his Twitter account (probably to avoid hostile tweets) and been lambasted throughout the industry. If he had shown his displeasure with the woman and the situation without resorting to profanity, I honestly think this would have played out differently. There's just something about those two words in particular that can blow a disagreement into a full-fledged battle.

Am I being naive? Perhaps a little too wholesome?

Does cussing not matter in today's world?

Could disgruntled soap opera fans become Hoover Vacuum's most loyal customers?

Soap operas are a dying genre, but many viewers are fiercely devoted. With the cancellation of "One Life to Live" and "All My Children", many people are mourning the loss of two staples of daytime television. In a rather unique PR move, however, Hoover Vacuums is giving soap fans a voice and yanking its ad money from the network.

In an open letter on its Facebook page, Hoover's Vice President of Marketing told fans of the show that the company would be pulling its advertising from ABC as of Friday (sooner, if possible). The letter went on to say that Hoover has created a special email account, savethesoaps@hoover.com, where everyone is invited to send their notes of support for the shows. Hoover will act as middleman, and then send all the emails to its contacts at ABC.

Is Hoover hoping the fiercely loyal fans of daytime TV will remember the company's support next time one of them needs to buy a vacuum? Does the VP just really love Susan Lucci's Erica Kane? Or, is this part of a greater effort to create a connection with new customers? Whatever it is, I think it's an intriguing move.

The wall of Hoover's Facebook page is covered with posts from people thanking the company for its stance. Will the company's following on Facebook grow because it's now broadened the conversation to a new audience? Yep! Will current Hoover owners who are outraged over the cancellation of their shows be more loyal to the company? I think so! Is Hoover onto to something here? I believe it is!

One of the things that makes companies successful when it comes to social media is finding out what its customers are concerned about. Do Hoover's customers want to know the best vacuum to get pet dander out of the carpet? For sure. But, just talking about vacuums all the time doesn't make for great social media. What does, however, is remembering that customers have other interests, too. And soaps, well, those are a big part of everyday life for many stay-at-home moms, seniors, college students, and other people who have dirty carpets!

Want to know how to do B2C social media right? This is a stellar example of a company that's creating loyalty, engaging with current and future customers, and redefining the conversation. You don't have to watch soaps to appreciate the effort here. Kudos to Hoover for not just broadcasting out its message about vacuums, but for also paying attention to what's on the minds of its customers.

* Hat tip to @PawPurrry and @CatsPolitics for tweeting out the letter about Hoover.

Why media coaching is a MUST before any interview

As someone with a background in public relations and broadcasting, I've done media training for many high-level executives. Conducting an interview is not something someone should take lightly and it should not be assumed that you can just be yourself and it will all be alright. This is magnified ten-fold when the interview is captured on video.

Below is a stellar example of a person who was not adequately prepared to speak with the media. Her eye rolls, laughter, and facial expressions did nothing but discredit her and embarrass her employer. It's shocking that a company as well-known as Gawker, a media outlet itself, would not coach its editor to provide a more competent interview. Especially considering the controversial topic: stalking.

In this day and age where cutbacks are affecting businesses large and small, this is an important reminder that having a full-time, professional PR/communications person on the staff is crucial. When this interview took place, that role had been vacant at Gawker for four months.

Capitol Records lets in lookie loos for exclusive event

Although there are many interesting tourist destinations in Hollywood, one of the most popular is one that isn't even open to the public. Capitol Records, best known for its design that resembles a stack of records, is one of Hollywood's most usual pieces of architecture (the light at the top of the "needle" even spells out Hollywood in morse code!). Although tourists approach the iconic building daily to tug on the locked doors, Capitol Records does not ever let in people to look around. That's why it was so special when recently, for one-day only, visitors were admitted onto the property for a tour.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring activities to celebrate the glitz and glamour associated with the coral and black stars that grace the sidewalks of Tinsel Town. Since many of the celebs on the Walk are recording artists, Capitol Records joined in on the celebration. However, its reps underestimated the interest and were caught off guard when the line wrapped around the block and people had to wait two hours, on average, to enter. Although Hollywood is in my own back yard, the opening of Capital Records is not something that is likely to happen again, so I waited along with the others to gain entry. 

Once inside the lobby, the walls were covered with gold and platinum records from musical greats spanning the last 50 years. The tour then took visitors into one of the recording studios, most famously known as the room where Natalie Cole recorded "Unforgettable" with her deceased father Nat King Cole. Later, Green Day used the studio to record "American Idiot". Today, the room is also home to Nat's piano, which is signed by the great Billy Preston.

Visitors were then whisked off to the room where The Beatles held their first American press conference. Then, onto Frank Sinatra's stool and music stand where he recorded many songs (apparently, Sinatra wouldn't start a session with Jack Daniels, LifeSavers, and cigarettes on hand!). Engineers also demonstrated how sound is manipulated in the studios and played audio clips that illustrated how Capitol's world-renowned, one-of-a-kind, echo chambers (designed by guitar legend Les Paul) are used to make songs sound richer and fuller. After more great trivia and audio clips, the tour came to a close.

The year-long celebration of the Walk of Fame will conclude in November as Hollywood hosts a gala in the new Hollywood and Highland complex. To learn more about the historic walk, click HERE for a quick history lesson. Hooray for Hollywood!

Twitter brings "hope" to nonprofits

If you're a sucker for a good cause like I am, you'll want to know about Twitter's Hope140 project. As part of the company's effort to be "a force for good", it has created a site to highlight worthy causes. For those of you who work for nonprofits, this is an easy way to get your charity a bit more attention. Or, if you simply want to promote a cause on your own (meaning you don't work for the group, but simply support its efforts), you can do that, too. 

If you go to the Hope140 page, just click "contact us" and fill out the brief form (a six-box no brainer). Your charity of choice will then be reviewed by Twitter HQ for possible inclusion on the site. Most of those that are accepted are put on the Case Studies section, where your organization will be profiled (along with a prominent logo and relevant photographs). If you're actively (and creatively!) using Twitter to spread the word about your work, you have a much better chance of being highlighted. After all, practicality would dictate that this altruistic effort is also a nice way to promote the value of Twitter, right?

Other lucky causes may receive a tab of their own on the Hope140 page, as was the case with Hope for Haiti. These organizations and/or campaigns enjoy the added bonuses of donation buttons and showcasing tweets that pertain to the cause.

Nonprofits may also be eligible for a special version of sponsored tweets called Tweet for Good. Details aren't available yet, but just tell Twitter your organization is interested and information will be sent to you as it becomes available. For Twitter newbies, sponsored tweets are essentially ads that earn you money.

So, if your charity could use some added exposure, check out Hope140. It might be a nice addition to your online marketing efforts.

Domino's Pizza finally makes edible food

I have to give props when props are due, so kudos to Domino's Pizza!

For the last two weeks, I've seen the TV commercials claiming that Domino's finally realized their pizza was sub-par (a much too kind word for really bad!). The spots boast more flavorful sauce, a garlicy crust, and better cheeses. However, I'm sure many shared my thoughts: "Yeah, right!".

Well, last night I found myself at a networking mixer and, thanks to a day gone wild, I hadn't had a chance to eat lunch or dinner. To my delight, the room had a nice spread with food and drinks, so I scampered on over. There were cookies, deli sandwiches, chips...and Domino's pizza. I would have gone for the sandwich, but it was ham (and I'm a vegetarian). I hesitantly looked at the Domino's box and opened it up. Mushroom! Score! But, it was Domino's pizza so my excitement diminished. Truth be told, I don't think I've had their pizza in at least five years; vowing never to waste my money again on something so horrible.

Remembering the TV spots promising a better pizza, I opened the box back up and grabbed a slice. "Heck, I'll give it a try. Let's see if you can really taste a change." And, to my amazement, it was actually good! Let me repeat, my slice of Domino's pizza was downright tasty!

Yes, I know you're probably skeptical, but I highly encourage you to give it a shot. It has undoubtedly taken much too long for Domino's to make a desperately needed change to their recipe, but better late than never. Believe it or not, I'm actually gonna add the local Domino's to my speed dial now. Good pizza for $5.99? Now, that's what makes America great!

UPDATE May 4, 1010: Here's an interesting story from USA Today that says Domino's sales have gone up 14.3% since the new recipe was introduced.

I know this post might seem weird, but bear with me

The other day one of my male Facebook friends posted something on his wall that got my attention. Without going into too much graphic detail, it was about a new product that helps "on-the-go" women urinate while standing up. You can watch the YouTube video to get the full explanation of how it works and who might find it handy (nothing inappropriate here, I promise).

My first thought was "Ew, what is this and why is Paul (a guy!) telling me about it?" As I started to type up my comment that I was concerned about how Paul was spending his time, I saw his explanation in the comments that projected sales were high and this company, Go Girl, had a solid social media presense. I deleted my sarcastic comment and checked out the company on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

I have to say, after looking at their stuff, it does look like an amazingly useful product. Especially in certain circumstances. However, there's just something in me that won't allow me to interact with this product in the social media space. I'm sorry, but I can't be "friends" with a urinary accessory. I'm just old-fashioned that way.

But, ladies, do check out Go Girl. Once you get passed the "ewwww" factor and can be a bit more objective, it really is an innovative product that I'm sure will gain traction in the marketplace.

Zappos gets it

If you want to follow the antics of a company who is doing everything right in social media, look no further than Zappos.com. Yes, like many businesses, they have a presence on all the major sites, but it's not what they're doing, it's how they're doing it that makes all the difference.

Zappos isn't just telling you about the great shoes, clothing, and handbags it offers, it is using its company culture to further its brand. There is an "Inside Zappos" channel on YouTube that shows staff festivities (the duct tape challenge is my favorite and you can see it in the player below), intra-office practical jokes, vendor appreciation events, and other videos that solidify the "happiness" of the Zappos brand (check out the cheer-up videos and the culture wall). Amongst its many Twitter accounts, one is "Inside Zappos" which directs traffic to those videos and also to its Inside Zappos blog (which shows more fun stuff, but also how they are supporting vendors and being smart business partners). Zappos has even published a book about its company culture.

All these social media channels have benefits beyond the obvious. From motivating consumers to want to buy from such cool people, to recruiting future talent and attracting potential vendors, Zappos is doing a remarkable job of making its company culture a part of its brand. It's fun, it's irreverent, it's full of life. Who wouldn't want to buy their next pair of shoes from these people?

Is sugar bad for corn farmers?

These days many consumers are asking for, and subsequently purchasing, more foods with all-natural ingredients. Consumer buying habits are changing, whether it's due to education or, in some cases, new government-mandated laws (e.g. the war on trans fat). I don't know about you, but I never really thought about the ripple effect here. Who's getting more business because of these changes? Who's getting the shaft?

Well, the Corn Refiners Association's stance is that the resurgence of sugar sodas is bad news for corn farmers. Surely, you've seen the limited-edition Pepsi Throwback which boasted real sugar. Even some Costco stores are selling Mexican-made Coca-Cola with sugar. Sugar is making a comeback. But where does that leave the corn farmers and their vats of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)?

To combat the surge in popularity of real sugar sodas (and the reduction of HFCS in salad dressings, barbecue sauces, juice drinks, and more), the Corn Refiners Association is launching an all out PR campaign. It spent $12 million in media buys in just the first half of this year. New commercials defending the value of high-fructose corn syrup are on their way to female-focused and family-friendly networks. The Association is even reaching out to mommy bloggers to tell them that HFCS is pretty much the same as sugar, with a similar calorie count.

High-fructose corn syrup has been the sweetener of choice for soda makers in America since 1984. It is, after all, much cheaper than sugar. However, with the "full calorie" soda category flat to slightly down in recent years, the Association is acting quickly to prevent further revenue declines.

And, I can't help but to see the irony. I think it's the consumers who are making a point to buy groceries with all-natural ingredients who are probably the ones who are most sympathetic to the plight of the American farmer. No right or wrong answer on this one (after all, sugar does come from farmers, too!), just something to think about next time you make your selection at the office soda machine.

Going green makes cashiers mean

Each month, I take two elderly neighbors to Wal-mart to do their grocery shopping. They buy their meals for the month, along with supplies for their canine and feline companions. The nearest Super Center is more than a half-hour away, so the whole excursion (e.g. driving, shopping, and unloading) is a 4-hour ordeal. It's a long day, but we get a lot accomplished. However, there is one thing that happens during each outing that makes for a very unpleasant experience: the checkout.

I was green before green was even a movement. I bought my first canvas bags from an online catalog and paid $10 each. Now, you can find them for a buck or two at most grocery or drug stores. And, for our Wal-mart shop-o-rama days, I bought dozens of canvas bags for all the groceries. I even made sure to purchase Wal-mart's specially-branded, reusable bags for our trips so there wouldn't be a problem.

Unfortunately, although Wal-mart talks green, that talk isn't making it to their front line workers. Each time we set our canvas bags at the bagging station, the attitude begins. Cashiers start slamming things around and making sour faces. Many try to only put a few items in each bag so they'll use up our bags faster and be able to revert to the familiarity of their usual plastic bags. However, this week, the unhappiness reached a downright unacceptable level.

"I hate these bags," the cashier said. "These make extra work for us. I can't stand using these." And on, and on, and on. I kid you not. We spent nearly $500 dollars on groceries and had to endure a non-stop rant about what annoying customers we were.

Lots of marketing dollars are being tossed around these days so companies can hop on the green bandwagon. However, unless businesses throw an employee engagement component into the mix, the message is doomed.

Employees are the ones who are ultimately responsible for delivering and enforcing the message. And when an employee says, and I quote, "I don't care about the environment, I'll be dead before there's a problem," how can I believe that a company is really advocating environmental change and responsibility?

Organic farmers need a PR firm

Yesterday, it was all over the news. Organic food is not more nutritional than "normal" food. Who thought it was? Well, apparently many people did.

What makes food organic is that it is free of artificial food additives, pesticides, and other processes that do not occur in nature (e.g. chemical ripening, genetic modification, etc.). Many organic farmers also take the extra step to ensure all their food is produced using energy-efficient technologies or packaged in biodegradable materials. If any animals are involved, they are allowed to live comfortable, natural lives instead of enduring the misery that comes with today's factory farm. The motto of the organic food enthusiast: know your farmer, know your food.

Organic food gives consumers the chance to purchase products that are produced with a conscience—showing respect for our planet and the animals with whom we share the Earth. That is what makes food organic. And, although, organically-produced food isn't more nutritional, per se; it definitely doesn't hurt that consumers can avoid the ingestion of chemicals that may not fully wash off their food.

These are all great selling points. The organic farmers have a great story to tell, but apparently they need a little help from Corporate America to do it. A good PR firm could clarify the message to consumers and tout the real benefits of organic food. It's not a hard sell. Who wouldn't want to buy food that was produced in an ethical, safe, and compassionate manner?

Is Twitter the new Amber Alert?

I was surfing the web yesterday and came across these eye-catching tweets:

-- I'M CONFIDENT we can use Twitter to FIND THIS MAN! Those of U on cell phones can be on the lookout! PLZ RT!! #FindBOB

-- Please use the hashtag #FindBOB, and be on the lookout for this man or his car! His family is very worried!!

The missing man @KitCameo is referring to is violinist Robert Korda. Apparently, Korda is her friend's father.

After looking at Kit's Twitter page, you can quickly see that she has contacted nearly every celebrity on Twitter asking them to retweet her messages. Her tactic is sound. She only has 696 followers, but by contacting all the top Twitter users (e.g. Ashton Kutcher, Rainn Wilson, TheEllenShow, etc.), the tweets about Korda could reach millions of people in seconds.

I checked Kit's page again this morning and it appears Korda is still missing. And, interestingly enough, I don't see any news stories on Kit's effort. I mean, it's really quite amazing. She's a glass etching artist from Burbank, California; she's not a detective.

As new forms of social media emerge, I'm sure people will find uses for them that the developers never even imagined. I highly doubt it ever crossed the Twitter folks' minds that their frivolous "what are you doing?" premise would evolve into an army of millions trying to track down a missing person. But, it's really quite ingenious.

Kudos to Kit for her efforts. I'm sure she has started what will eventually become a new way to locate missing people. And if law enforcement officers all around the country aren't taking notes, well, shame on them.