We have not finished the first month of 2018 and have already seen a few brands face a major public crisis management issues. While these brands have suffered quite a bit of public scrutiny. First let’s take a look at the most recent victims of crisis management problems for brands such as H&M, Tim Hortons and YouTube.
1. No Timmys Tuesday Vs Tim Hortons
As of January 2, 2018 minimum wages in Ontario increased to $14 an hour. An increase to minimum wages is not something new, it is a natural part of the economy. However this year some businesses across Ontario reacted differently. A number of Tim Hortons store owners are cutting employee perks like paid breaks and benefits as a result of the wage increase.
Consumers have begun various grassroots campaigns such as the “No Timmys Tuesday,” where consumers are encouraged to buy their coffee elsewhere that day, and others are being encouraged to boycott Tim Hortons all together.
So far, Tim Hortons and The Great White North Franchisee Association (GWNFA), which represents a number of Canadian Tim Hortons franchise owners have still declined to comment on the issue. How much longer before Tim Hortons tackles the crisis head on, or can the brand afford to say nothing till a certain time has passed hoping consumers (and staff) will just accept the changes?
The Weeknd Party Is Over For H&M
Retailer H&M is facing a major crisis issue that has a number of celebrities using their words and influence to sway consumers away due to their latest advertising campaign which has a strong racist tone to it.
I’m sure the apologies are a coming. And the ads will be pulled. I’m certain there will Be media fixers and whatnot and maybe a grand gesture like a donation to some charity (donations under these circumstances are the corporate version #SomeOfMyBestFriendsAre move if there ever was one) all this tells me about @HM is that the seats in the boardroom lack something…wanna take a guess?
I’m sure the apologies are a coming. And the ads will be pulled. I’m certain there will Be media fixers and whatnot and maybe a grand gesture like a donation to some charity (donations under these circumstances are the corporate version #SomeOfMyBestFriendsAre move if there ever was one) all this tells me about @HM is that the seats in the boardroom lack something…wanna take a guess?
Unfortunately the damage to H&M is not done there, Canadian musical artist The Weeknd who has has a partnership on a XO brand, and modeled in their ad campaigns announced on his Twitter account “woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore…”
How will H&M ensure these time of mistakes (that should be so clear) are not done again?
3. Is Logan Paul Good Or Bad For Social Media Influencers?
By now you’ve heard about Logan Paul, the Ohio native who started out on Vine and has now part of YouTube Red program and someone who Forbes ranked as a Top Influencer of 2017, and has 15 million subscribers. The Internet (and world) took great office to Paul’s posting of video footage that included a suicide victim filmed at Japan’s “Suicide Forest.” While he may have later taken the video down the damage was done, and many people re-posted the entire and portions of the video to YouTube. What seemed like a week later, YouTube issued an official statement on the company’s Twitter page:
An open letter to our community:
Many of you have been frustrated with our lack of communication recently. You’re right to be. You deserve to know what’s going on.
— YouTube (@YouTube) January 9, 2018
Will Paul’s actions cast doubt with brands looking to work with influencers in the future?
Update
Remember the big controversy with H&M? Turns out the brands had to shut down its stores in South Africa as local residents started to swarm multiple locations in protest of the brand’s recent “misstep.”
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