“Tweet” used to just be the sound a caged song bird made. However as the world of social media grows, “tweets” now also refer to the mini-blog posts found on Twitter.com which limit users to 140 characters per “tweet.” This short format forces users to be concise with only enough room for short updates or links to other web pages.
The posts can range from an update on the war in the Middle East to an equally important update on what you're having for dinner. It’s also beginning to become an ally to many public relations practitioners who are able to make press releases accessible through a new medium. However, not all “tweets” end up sounding like a melodious song bird as a Ketchum vice president found out.
James Andrews, the song bird in question, was in Memphis, TN meeting with the communication team for FedEx which is a client of Ketchum. Ketchum, an international public relations firm, has been the agency of record for FedEx for quite some time.
According to The Commercial Appeal, Andrews posted a tweet during trainings sessions that read: “True confession but I'm in one of those towns where I scratch my head and say 'I would die if I had to live here!'”
There are many ironies to this story for me. First, I happen to have been born and raised in Memphis, TN. While I chose to move to Chicago, Memphis is and will always be my home. Second, I actually interviewed with Ketchum for a job recently. While I won’t pass off the whole company for one executives insulting remark, it does put a damper on my perception of them. Third, besides Andrew’s experience as a vice president of a public relations firm that probably shuns the idea of bad mouthing the city of a client, he was actually in training sessions on SOCIAL MEDIA at the time.
I am a senior at DePaul University in Chicago graduating in June of 2009 with a degree in Public Communication and a minor in Theater Studies. Born and raised in Tennessee, I came to Chicago to pursue a career in the field of Communication. I enjoy writing, singing, theater, exploring the city...and long walks on the beach. I hope to share the wisdom I’ve already gained in my many misadventures in the big city as well as keep you posted on the many discoveries I make along the way.
Talent Insights - our blog that provides employers, professionals in career services and career-seeking candidates with relevant and actionable data-driven insight, covering all things Gen Y.
2 comments:
Great first post Jordan. I am honored to have passed the torch on to such a fine and upstanding young gentleman.
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