Does Airbus have a public relations problem?
I have been speculating about whether Airbus has a public relations problem, after two major accidents involving airplanes from Airbus there is no reaction from the company on the Internet, so they seem to be taking the typical large organization "look but don't touch" approach.
It unbelievable how the Internet does not seem to play a role in their Public Relations strategy as I mentioned in my previous blog post called When should you use PPC as a part of a PR strategy?.
How do they deal with this? "Actor Ashton Kutcher cautioned his fans on Wednesday that a pilot recommended to him not to fly on Airbus until the manufacturer's composite tail is declared safe." - I am afraid that this will not blow over and they need to get their act together if the Internet is not to harm them more.
Airbus use the Internet, use PPC, use online PR, use Twitter and Facebook! Don't fall into the "Look - Don't touch" thinking as other major organization seem to have the habid of doing.
Nordic eMarketing does this, works on creating online crisis management solutions for companies and governments to deal with crisis through the Internet using effective online assets.
When should you use PPC as a part of a PR strategy?
Air France Google Trends
One of the most dynamic ways of communicating to the masses ASAP is through Google PPC, a great sample of that is the crash of the Air France Airbus plane flying from Brazil to France. The plane goes down after 300 KM and news start to spread.
As a part of an PR crisis strategy Air France should have gone out and paid for customized message for their brand search, dealing with questions like; Is it safe to fly with Air France' and/or How can I find information about the crash?
Using the same method, Airbus could have dealt with people frighten to fly with Airbus planes, answering questions like is flying with Airbus planes save?
As one of those that fly frequantly but are not comfortable flying I was one of the first looking for anwers like the above and I do belive that I was not the only person. Check Google Trends http://www.google.com/trends?q=air+france&ctab=0&geo=all&date=mtd&sort=0 to back my case.
Use the Internet, It’s 2009
Sometimes its good to be taken back a few steps and being reminded of the world that is inhabited by “normal” Internet users. Working professionally everyday with the Internet as a sales and marketing channel, easily makes you loose the perspective of those people. The people that are the end receivers of our clients messages and products.
Luckily though, an article in The Mail on Sunday on the 15th of February reminded me of the Internet reality that actually reigns out there outside of our office walls. Entitled “Millions lost by firms who ignore the net”, the article reveals that six out of ten British companies do not use the Internet to sell their products, even though they are quite happy to use the Internet to buy goods and services for their organizations. A survey on small businesses (up to 50 people) showed that four out of five use their website to showcase their goods rather than sell it. Even more surprising, 67 percent believed that they would not find customers online if they were to try. Considering the fact that 20 billion pounds was spent online during 2008, it feels safe to assume that they are wrong and that they are loosing out on considerable earnings by not incorporating the Internet as a serious marketing and sales channel.
Reputation Management Online
Next week I am speaking at an event on reputation management, the date is October 21st and the events location is the Dorchester Hotel, London. The event is held and managed by Augure - Corporate Communications Solution, you do not have to pay anything to enter, but there is limited seat availability so better book now than later.
"Reputation has become a board level priority affecting an organisation's ability to raise capital, attract and retain staff, sell products and services and ultimately compete in today's marketplace."
Really good speakers are doing this event and it looks like a great event for those that are looking to learn about the latest in reputation management.
Reputation monitoring and management through search
Just spoke at a session called "Reputation monitoring and management through search" at the SMX Sweden, with a great pannel of colleuges . The topic was quite wide and actual the title does not explain it to the fullest.
We talked about the challanges facing companies and individuals when information is available to the world as they arrive and can as demostated in the session spiral out of countrol.
The session was moderated by Sante J. Achille who did a great job and speakers inculding me where
Mikkel deMib Svendsen, Creative Director at deMib.com and David Lerdell the CEO & Founder of Lerdell Investigation AB. So it was a multinational session and reflected that quite well.
Great stuff and I always learn something when Mikkel is there, great speaker and full of knowledge.
How not to use ePR – Online PR
I resently came across this blogg post on "6 PR disasters from late 2006 to the present" great stories about the worst PR disasters in 2006 to this date. Fun read for anyone that is doing PR on the internet.
Check it out: http://rbdrodeo.com/2007/06/29/6-pr-disasters-from-late-2006-to-the-present/
I really like the "Microsoft Vista bribes bloggers" story.