Comments on: 3 Quick PR Thoughts…for Amazon

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:31:27 +0000

Some great dialog on this subject! Thanks so much for joining the conversation!

Chris – I totally agree, what a backtrack for Amazon on the social media front. Nothing being said by them online…that’s a shame!

Van – Thanks for the FYI on @Werner – I’m going to check it out right now.

Stan – This is exactly the reason why active participation on Twitter is so important in good times…and bad. Great comment!

By: Stan Scott

Stan Scott — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:59:57 +0000

Thanks for this. It’s fascinating to me that there’s so much talk about “social media” and “reaching out to customers”, but when something like this happens, Amazon STOPS communicating.

It’s easy for a company to communicate online when they want to set up a “fan” page, or Twitter their current discounts. Online media has to go both ways, or it’s just more advertising, and most companies, including the largest online book retailer, just don’t get that.

By: Van

Van — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:40:49 +0000

Another for your list: the Amazon CTO @Werner has been tweeting this morning, but nothing related to #amazonfail. Pretty good way to fan the flames of the fury out there….

By: Tressa Robbins

Tressa Robbins — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:34:54 +0000

Matt, I agree that there are numerous things they should be doing. I’m hopeful that before the end of the day, they’ll respond appropriately (surely!). Definitely, the number one thing they should do or be doing is to fess-up to whatever the problem is/ was, explain it and explain what they are doing to rectify it. This “glitch” is just not acceptable. I’ll be interested to read what your other readers think! Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

@tressalynne

By: Chris P

Chris P — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:34:24 +0000

Great post, matt. I think that Amazon has gone against it’s digital innovation and mentality by waiting this late to say anything. Clearly, no one is buying the ‘glitch’ argument. If it was a policy change, they should be forthright and defend it. Granted, they should expect an outcry and loss of customer base on this decision. When brands try and assert moral judgments on its commerce after years of neutrality/indifference, it will backfire in some capacity. Let’s hope that the conservative audience can make up for the loss in sales from their loyal consumers who were offended/affected by this ‘glitch.’