Is Ping really sorry?

I wrote out strongly against Ping’s unjustified banning of critics against the community manager here, and also businesses that “appeared” to “support” or “endorse” the shady issue. On a personal level, the community manager saw herself losing many “friends” because she was caught red-handed far too many times.

As fellow blogger wrote, there are always lessons to be learnt. However, putting down the ego and admitting one’s mishandling is often the hardest thing to do. By chance, I recalled this article in my Google Feed Reader and nobody could have said it better than Heather Yaxley had. Her last two paragraphs were enough to sum it up for Ping’s community manager’s arrogance with DVD and her “supposed” apology.

PR should also counsel against the non-apology (as seen frequently in US election campaigns) - which basically says we are sorry if you’ve been offended/affected… rather than actually apologising for the organisation’s actions.  I always feel this adds insult to injury as not only has someone been impacted, but they are made to feel guilty for recognising this.

However, as with the political apology, perhaps it is not surprising that there are many strategies conceived by which you can say sorry without perhaps really meaning it.  In my experience that’s a skill accomplished by many 4 year olds, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised if either lawyers or PR practitioners counsel the ambiguous apology either.

You can read the full article here.

Perhaps the inexperience behind the team contributed to the saga, and it’s a good lesson for companies wishing to engage bloggers. You will need a lot more transparency, sincerity and justifiable actions than you previously thought.

So to my question… I hope they are.

By Ed | July 22, 2008

Filed Under Blogging, Public Relations

 


Comments

2 Responses to “Is Ping really sorry?”

  1. uzyn on July 22nd, 2008 7:33 am

    The banning wasn’t directed towards critics. There is nothing to be sorry about.

    Don’t get too full of yourself.

    Using Ping.sg’s services is a privilege, not a right. Enjoy your privilege.

    [Reply]
    Ed replied on July 22nd, 2008 7:40 am:

    Hi Uzyn,

    Perhaps this response from you is the best example to substantiate the points I have put forth.

    Thanks for dropping by.

    [Reply]

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