United Breaks Guitar

The ever-spiraling reach of social media is impacting not only how business is done, but also empowering consumers and employees to express their intent and publish their content. In a recently released 2009 Ethics and Workplace Survey by Deloitte, 74 percent of the those surveyed said it’s easy to tarnish and damage a brand’s reputation via social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter. Further 70 percent of the employees said that their employers have no business over what and how they interact on the social networking sites. From the employer’s side, more than 70 percent said they are concerned with how their staff are using the social media and what they are posting.

Speaking of consumers, it still remains unearthed as what immense power social media has given to consumers. Look no further, but read David Carroll’s story that he turned into a humorous song and posted on the youtube, which has seen more than 4 million visitors since. When United Airlines declined his claim for compensation for the guitar that they broke when he took a flight from Nova Scotia to Omaha. After repeated calls and attempts to reach United officials, David decided to take his crusade via social media to inform the world community about this mishap. He and his gang filmed a 4 minute 47 seconds long song titled “United Breaks Guitar”. This gig did rattle United Airlines who swung into action and contacted him the moment they realized the PR damage control they will have to do.