Blues President Quits After Lewd Post: A Messy Situation & Lessons Learned
Okay, so you've heard the news, right? The president of the [Name of Blues Team], let's call him Bob for now, totally resigned after some seriously inappropriate stuff surfaced online. A lewd post, y'know? The whole thing was a wild ride, and honestly, kinda blew my mind. I mean, who does that? Especially someone in that position. It got me thinking about the whole online presence thing, and how one bad decision can absolutely torpedo your career. It's a cautionary tale, for sure.
The Fallout: A PR Nightmare
It was a total dumpster fire, honestly. The internet went nuts. News outlets everywhere picked up the story – ESPN, the local news, even some smaller blogs. The team's social media blew up. It was a PR nightmare of epic proportions. Fans were furious. Sponsors were probably sweating bullets. The whole thing just spiraled out of control faster than you can say "delete my account."
I remember a similar, albeit less scandalous, situation back when I worked for a small marketing firm. One of our junior employees, let's call him Mark, posted something a little… insensitive on his personal Facebook page. Nothing overtly lewd, but still something that could be interpreted negatively. It didn't directly affect the company, but it caused a bit of a kerfuffle. We had to do some damage control – reminding him of the importance of maintaining a professional image online. We even had a short session on social media etiquette. That's when I really started focusing on having a robust online reputation management plan.
Online Reputation Management: It's Not Just for Big Companies
This whole Bob situation really highlights the importance of online reputation management. It's not just for CEOs and celebrities; it's for everyone. Especially if you're in a public-facing role. Your online presence can make or break you.
Think about it. Potential employers, clients, even friends and family, all Google you. What do they find? A professional profile? Or a bunch of questionable posts from years ago?
Here's the thing: it's never too late to clean up your digital footprint. It can involve several things including updating your profiles. You need to take control of what's out there.
Practical Tips to Avoid a PR Disaster:
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Think before you post: This seems obvious, but it's crucial. Seriously, always consider the potential consequences of your online actions. Would your grandma approve? If not, maybe think twice.
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Review your privacy settings: Make sure your personal accounts are set to private or at least limit who can see your posts. You'd be surprised how much information is readily available even with relatively high privacy settings. And be cautious what you share online. It's better to err on the side of caution.
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Google yourself regularly: Get in the habit of Googling your own name periodically. See what comes up. Address anything that's not quite right.
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Professional social media presence: LinkedIn is your friend! Build a professional presence on platforms relevant to your industry. Showcase your skills and experience. It's a great networking tool.
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Have a crisis communication plan: Okay, this may sound a bit intense, but if something does go wrong, you’ll need a strategy. A lawyer might be a good first step.
Remember Bob? His career is probably toast. Don't let that happen to you. Be smart. Be responsible. And for goodness sake, think before you post! It's easier than dealing with a potential PR crisis or worse.