Microsoft rank in Fortune 500: 36
Microsoft revenue: about $US 60 million
Microsoft’s Chairman: Bill Gates, net worth of $56 billion (2nd richest man in the world).
On Saturday Microsoft tweeted: “How can you #SupportJapan — http://binged.it/fEh7iT. For every retweet, bing will give $1 to Japan quake victims, up to $100K.”
While a lot of tweeps happily retweeted it others were full of rage.
Comedian Michael Ian Black, who has nearly 1.6 million Twitter followers, responded with this tweet: “Hey @bing, stop using a tragedy as a fucking marketing opportunity.”
Comedian Michael Ian Black, who has nearly 1.6 million Twitter followers, responded with this tweet: “Hey @bing, stop using a tragedy as a fucking marketing opportunity.”
Of course Black’s tweets were widely retweeted and gained in popularity as others picked up on the hashtag… #f—kyoubing.
Nicole Cardoza tweeted “Hey You can #SupportJapan by Googling ‘shameless self-promotion’ and leave charity to those who acutally (sic) care. #f—kyoubing.”
David A. Springate tweeted “Coming soon! Microsoft branded Tsunami commemorative mugs and T-shirts. 20% of every sale goes to good causes! #f—kyoubing.”
And there's many many more.
The furor over Bing’s tweet continued to grow and later in the day the company attempted to rescind its earlier tweet by apologizing not for the content, but because it was misconstrued.
“We apologize the tweet was negatively perceived. Intent was to provide an easy way for people to help Japan. We have donated $100K.”
A forced attempt to get people to talk about Bing and get it trending on Twitter. Now people are indeed talking about Bing, but Microsoft likely won’t appreciate what they’re saying.
Didn’t they see this coming?
Another example, even sadder, sent to me by a good friend in Singapore.
Yes, that's right. TV channel NewsAsia sending a mail to potential advertisers to book their spot during the disaster news coverage. The channel later apologised by sending a press release out:
Disgusting!
Another example, even sadder, sent to me by a good friend in Singapore.
Yes, that's right. TV channel NewsAsia sending a mail to potential advertisers to book their spot during the disaster news coverage. The channel later apologised by sending a press release out:
Dear Oman Collective Intelligence,
ReplyDeletefor the big tragedy in Japan I feel so deeply and I feel helpless. I can only give money to support - and pray. The attempt to get advertisement out of it is shocking - even if it might have been well intended as with Bill Gates. On a small scale I will get rid of a few 'friends' on Facebook (whom I don't know in the first place) who are trying to get a pun out of the tragedy - that is utterly disgusting too.
Absolutely tasteless. Especially NewsAsia. I seriously felt sick to my gut just reading what they offered. Unbelievable and utterly shocking to say the least.
ReplyDelete