The advent of mainstream social media means that the things posted online by some anonymous users are now being given, at least by the average reader, the same weight they might give to a story by an accredited reporter. While this creates the opportunity for a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions from amateur reporters worldwide, it also opens the door for the morally challenged.
The Golden State Warriors basketball team has not been faring well recently, and fans have not been shy about sharing their opinions. On the popular site WarriorsWorld.net, commentary has been overwhelmingly negative. A CNet article describes a failed ploy to counteract that:
One shining beacon of light was offered by “Flunkster Dude.” Commenting on a season-ticket holder conference call hosted by General Manager Larry Riley, President Robert Rowell and TV play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald, he wrote: “I actually enjoyed the call and appreciate their honesty.”
Which not so many other commenters did. Even fewer do now, as the WarriorsWorld.net chaps traced the IP back to a certain office. You’re there already, aren’t you? Yes, to the office of the Golden State Warriors.
Flunkster Dude is, in fact, Flackster Dude. Real name, Raymond Ridder, PR man for the Golden State Warriors.
Ridder has already started the crisis management routine, taking full responsibility and admitting to multiple other postings on the site, all promoting Warriors management. I’m sure this issue will pass, but his attempt to cheat at reputation management has shamed an already struggling organization. The Internet is a powerful source of information, but remember to take those faceless voices with a grain of salt.
JB
Jonathan Bernstein
www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com