May 24
Twitter used for social media attack
Lately we have seen big brand being attacked on social media:
- Intel was attacked by activists opposed to minerals mining in the Congo inundated Intel’s Facebook page
- Nestlé, maker of Kit Kat, was attacked for using palm oil from companies that where trashing Indonesian rainforests
Well in the wake of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, now it’s BP’s turn. I’d like you to meet @BPGlobalPR (BP Public Relations) on Twitter. Although I have to say, it’s pretty clear that this account is a parody.
Consider this:
24 May – Negative people view the ocean as half empty of oil. We are dedicated to making it half full. Stay positive America!
24 May – We are starting a movement to fix the oil leak. Just mail your garbage to New Orleans and we’ll take it from there. The bigger the better!
21 May – Not only are we dropping a top hat on the oil spill, we’re going to throw in a cane and monocle as well. Keeping it classy.
19 May - We regretfully admit that something has happened off of the Gulf Coast. More to come.
19 May – Think about it this way, the ocean is like rootbeer and oil is like ice cream. We just made America a giant rootbeer float!
19 May – If we can make it so the ocean can be set on fire, doesn’t that make us like the David Copperfield of oil?
As of this morning, the joke account has almost 7.100 followers (Update: 81.000 – 29 May 2010) and is being retweeted by dozens of people across Twitter.
Is the BPGlobalPR Twitter feed harming BP’s reputation? Probably not. It’s obviously a joke, and the only thing that can salvage BP’s reputation at this point is for the company to plug the leak, clean up the mess and pay for everything without a fight.
Does the fake feed detract from the real one? Probably not. BP_America mainly attracts journalists, politicians and tourism organizations.
Could BP have prevented the fake feed? Nope. There’s no way a company can be expected to acquire every conceivable Twitter handle permutation of its name to prevent pranksters from making fun of it.
Make sure to read:
Short URL & Title:
Twitter used for social media attack — http://www.torbenrick.eu/t/r/oay
