Corporate News or Corporate Chaos?

Wytosick, Amber      aw238809@ohio.edu

            Social media is a relatively new concept in the world. It is something that we as a society have had to adjust to. While there have been many instances where we have benefited from this newfound tool, we have also been hindered by it. One way we have seen this happen is through Corporate news. Some corporations used to have company newspapers. This was a way of communicating with the company’s employees as well as the community in which the company resided. Like most printed newspapers, someone would make up a rough draft, which would then go through channels of approval before it was printed. Now, companies go straight to social media to present their news. By doing so, they are able to reach a much wider audience. However, we have seen that there is an obvious downside to reaching so many people in such a short period of time. Here is an article about how corporations are starting to use social media as a marketing avenue: https://www.incite-group.com/brand-marketing/how-social-media-now-used-corporations

                Everyone has some social media hiccups, but when you are a giant

corporation, those hiccups turn into projectile vomiting in the middle of a restaurant. By circumventing the proper channels, corporations are at risk of turning their corporate news into pure chaos.  Here is a fun article of some serious corporate social media blunders: https://www.pcmag.com/news/19-massive-corporate-social-media-horror-stories

                I believe now more than ever, public relations is so necessary. There aren’t 17 steps between corporate news and the rest of the world, there are two: one button to post, and one share button to spread the news like wildfire. With the help of public relations, we can see less corporate chaos and more corporate news. It is also necessary for companies to obtain public relations specialists when it comes to explaining their mishaps. I understand that it is easy to condemn a company from wrongdoing—and believe in some cases it’s the only option—however, there have been several positive things that have come from public relations’ suggestions from the larger corporations.

                In conclusion, corporate news needs public relations to avoid turning into corporate chaos. In some ways, the communities benefit as well. With such a bright light being shined on them, large companies need to be more aware and accountable for what they choose to post on social media. They should also be sure to not circumvent certain channels that are used in the traditional method of spreading corporate news.