04/06/2017
By now, everyone is fully aware of the United Airlines "legging" incident, right? When a public perception crisis hits another brand, it's an opportunity for others to observe and learn.
The article shares a few of these lessons and I have a few more.
1. There are some parties you want to arrive late at or even avoid. When a topic could be controversial, extremely political or potentially sensitive topics, it's wise to take a breath before inserting your opinion. Think about your values, your audience, and the lack of context that comes with social media before responding.
2. Get the full story and check your facts. When United first responded, they didn't have the full scoop and their reply came off rather insensitive. Once again, better to be a little late than go in naked to the party.
3. Situations like this can be a great opportunity to demonstrate your values and beliefs, if done well. Look for ways to turn something potentially negative into a positive for your audience (and brand).
What if United replied with something like:
Members of our United Airlines family forgot they were traveling on a Family Pass today. As ambassadors of the brand, we show our pride in many ways, including how we show up on our flights. We'll get them to their destination after a quick change.
Both sides gave a great demonstration in the wrong way to prove a point.