Apple, Google, Pixar, Lucas Films, Adobe, Intuit and Intel are heading back to court in June for the antitrust case thanks to the late Steve Jobs. That was just one of the big stories this week. You can catch up on that and other big news in this Weekly Wrap Up.
1. Seeking Hiring Advice? Try Facebook
More and more companies are turning to social media sites for references during the hiring process. In a recent study by Careerbuilder.com, 37 percent of companies use the sites to learn about candidates. The main reason cited by companies was that you can tell more about a person from their profiles than you can from their interview. Employers are looking to see how candidates present themselves professionally outside of the office. Do you use social media to help determine a candidate’s qualifications? Why or why not?
2. Mitt Romney Fumbles with Ledbetter Act Question
During political season, there are always things to learn from in the world of communications. Earlier this week, the Romney campaign team fielded questions from a journalist about his run for the United States presidency. One question stood out prominently: Does Romney support the Lilly Ledbetter Act? The team responded by saying they would return to the question at a later date. The Ledbetter Act gives women the right to fight for equal pay in the work place. This slip-up could undoubtedly damage the brand image of the Mitt Romney campaign with women voters. When being interviewed, you can predict about 90 percent of the questions. This is a great example of why you should prepare your best for the questions you can anticipate.
3. Bugs Will No Longer “Dye” in Starbucks Drinks
The coffee giant announced late last week that it would switch the dye for its popular Strawberry and Crème Frappuccinos. After pressure from groups of vegetarians, the company announced that it will stop using extracts from cochineal insects as red dye for the drinks and will begin using a tomato based dye instead. The company said that it began using the extract in response to consumer requests to use more natural ingredients. It seems however that they went just a step too far. Starbucks is known for being one of the most socially involved companies in the world through customer feedback and social media interaction. We’re glad they listened to customers for this! We prefer to eat tomatoes over insects!
4. The Secret, Secret Service Couldn’t Keep
Crisis management is an important part of any company or organization. This past week, the United States Secret Service got a chance to experience it firsthand. The story of the prostitution scandal in Cartagena, Colombia broke earlier this month, in which agents in charge of protecting the President were found to have hired prostitutes for their evening entertainment. The agency is still working on and investigating the situation, and 12 agents are no longer with the agency. How prepared are you to handle a crisis should one arise? As we say during crisis communications training, it’s important to be prepared not if a crisis happens, but when.
5. What Do the Stanley Cup and Big Macs Have in Common?
This season is one of the best the St. Louis Blues have seen in a decade. Among all the excitement of win after win, did you notice something new? Blues management spent the majority of the offseason concocting a way to drum up ticket sales and game attendance. A solution presented itself in the form of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions – all on a sesame seed bun. The St. Louis Blues partnered with area McDonald’s restaurants to offer a free Big Mac for each ticket after any game where the blues scored four or more goals. As the Blues go into the second round of playoffs, ticket sales are booming and fans continue to bleed blue. What are some creative ways you’ve promoted your business and increased sales?