Social Media and the Recession (and Other PR Blog Jots)

Social Media and the Recession
Web Strategy by Jeremiah
These uncertain financial times are leaving many bloggers questioning how big a role social media will play in business. Will the financial crisis cause an uptick in use of social media for marketers? What will happen? Jeremiah Owyang has some crucial questions. "Is social media usage going to increase or decrease during a recession by consumers? In the last tech bust, I remember many tech professsionals going back to school, becoming real estate agents, or fleeing silicon valley, will migratory usage patterns evolve in social media? Yet even if usage of these tools increases, yet do these consumers have buying power?"

Online Complaints Department
Six Pixels of Separation
Mitch Joel highlights an interesting study that shows when customers have a negative experience with customer service online, only seven percent are sharing that experience on a blog or other social media platform. He points out that the number does seem low, but reminds us that the Internet is forever. "All in all, it's still a little surprising how low these numbers seem. One of the bigger chants for Social Media revolves around a brands ability to listen to the conversation (and, how everybody is in on the conversation). While it's never good if 7% of your consumer base is complaining on Blogs and in online social networks, it's still not a huge percentage. Granted, the long tail of content is not great for a brand either. If someone complains in person, that complaint might get forwarded around via word of mouth, but has little impact when compared to a serious high ranking in the search results of your favourite search engines (as is the case when someone Blogs about it)."

Journos Unhappy with McCain?
The Flack
The McCain campaign has come under a bit of criticism lately by shielding its vice presidential candidate from press conferences, and Peter Himler reports that some journalists are calling for boycotts. "In dealing with the media filter, the last thing a PR person needs to transmit is a sense that he or she can somehow control the editorial tenor or content of a journalist's story. The most we can hope for is fairness and balance by a strong, self-assured media. Also, journalists are known to bristle at the thought of being manipulated (or directed) in any way."