FNB CEO apologises for Twitter Fail

[Eniigma]

A tweet was sent to FNB asking where its character in the bank’s radio advertising campaign “Steve” was.

However, the response from the bank's social media PR team on the Rbjacobs account, which has more than 37 000 followers turned into a joke gone bad.

It said: “He’s somewhere in Afghanistan, putting a bomb under a wheelchair and telling the cripple to run for it!”

Ok fair enough it's not an appropriate response on for a corporate PR, but is it really that offensive? Maybe I've just got a really dark sense of humor but I don't find it all that bad.

I certainly would not run off to complain to the CEO and everyone else about it.

 

[LazyLion]

DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES UNDER WAY: FNB

Disciplinary processes were under way following an offensive tweet sent from an FNB account, the bank said on Wednesday.

"We can confirm that disciplinary actions are currently under way as we are following the required industrial relations processes," FNB's acting head of digital marketing and media, Suzanne Myburgh said.

On Tuesday, a man by the name Stu tweeted: "@fnb where has Steve disappeared to? Your radio campaign just isn't the same."

Steve is a character in FNB's advertising campaign.

In response, the FNBGuy account under the name @Rbjacobs tweeted: "He's some where (sic) in Afghanistan, putting a bomb under a wheelchair and telling the cripple to run for it!"

FNB CEO Jacques Cilliers then tweeted: "Apologies for the @Rbjacobs wobble... experts are investigating quickly."

Another tweet on the @Rbjacobs account later read: "FNB is disappointed in & sincerely apologises for the tweet re Steve. The comment conflicts with our corporate values and has been retracted."


Source : Sapa /gq/hdw/th/lp
Date : 23 Apr 2014 15:32

 

[Sapcat]

When will people learn that social media, if used idiotically, WILL get you in crap.

 

[bot]

This person had a job and he messed up bad.

 

[rza]

Truly speaking, I laughed hard when I saw the tweet, only to be shocked that people are offended by it. What's offensive about it?

 

[Arthur]

This social media thing is getting out of hand. When the See Ee Oh of Eff Enn Bee has to apologise for some online silliness you know we're taking this too seriously.

 

[BlackJack1301]

This social media thing is getting out of hand. When the See Ee Oh of Eff Enn Bee has to apologise for some online silliness you know we're taking this too seriously.

Exactly. People say all kinds of dumb **** all the time, so what. Really, are there not more important things going on?

 

[Eniigma]

Truly speaking, I laughed hard when I saw the tweet, only to be shocked that people are offended by it. What's offensive about it?

Glad to see I'm not the only one. Was beginning to question my offend-oh-meter for a minute.

 

[The_Assimilator]

Truly speaking, I laughed hard when I saw the tweet, only to be shocked that people are offended by it. What's offensive about it?

Religion of Peace(tm).

 

[Fazda]

I'm just relieved that I haven't had to change stations every time Steve comes on, recently - I hope he stays in Afghanistan!

 

[Dolby]

Is rbjacobs just a fictional character like Steve?

 

[Sinbad]

Is rbjacobs just a fictional character like Steve?

Online persona.

 

[Dolby]

Thanks Sinbad

 

[TJ99]

This social media thing is getting out of hand. When the See Ee Oh of Eff Enn Bee has to apologise for some online silliness you know we're taking this too seriously.

It's pretty funny how everyone is taking the Internet as Serious Business these days... Well when I say "funny" I really mean "depressing".

 

[Greylor]

Is rbjacobs just a fictional character like Steve?

rbjacobs is the cripple.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

I think the tweet is excellent.

They need to let Jimmy Carr tweet for rbjacobs for a day. I can just imagine the outrage from the public if they find this silly tweet offensive.