Media Relations

Facebook, Instagram and Twitch ban Trump, Burger King and the CIA rebrand, and Ben & Jerry’s rebukes U.S. Capitol riots

Also: PRSA chair says communicators must ‘make a difference,’ how to prepare for travel influencer campaigns in 2021, Axe responds to image from mob attacks, and more.

By Beki Winchel
@bekiweki
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Hello, communicators:

Michelle Olson, the Public Relations Society of America’s 2021 chair, recently issued a statement in response to the U.S. Capitol riots. It read, in part:

We are all in a unique position, one that is more important than ever, to demonstrate leadership and serve as steady voices at a time of great imbalance. Timely, accurate and truthful information—in context—is the foundation of our role as communicators.  Yesterday’s actions show what can happen when the channels of communication are compromised with mis/disinformation.

… It is also crucial for us to consider our PRSSA students, how strange and scary this must be for all of them, but also how eager they are to get involved and find solutions to problems. We must resolve to serve as strong advisors and mentors, and help guide them as they search for their own ways, and use their own voices, to help make a difference in society.

Olson’s words can serve as motivation and inspiration for the work ahead of us—along with opportunities to make positive and lasting change as communicators grapple with the continued crises facing us, our organizations and our clients.

Here are today’s top stories:

Facebook, Instagram and Twitch ban Trump

Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, recently announced that President Trump is banned from posting to both Facebook and Instagram for the remainder of his time in office, extending its 24-hour suspension:

The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining…

Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, January 7, 2021

Twitch also suspended Trump until his presidential term ends, announcing it would “reassess his account after he leaves.”

A spokesperson for the streaming platform told TechCrunch:

In light of yesterday’s shocking attack on the Capitol, we have disabled President Trump’s Twitch channel. Given the current extraordinary circumstances and the President’s incendiary rhetoric, we believe this is a necessary step to protect our community and prevent Twitch from being used to incite further violence.

Why it’s important: As organizations across industries condemn the riots and call for unity, social media platforms continue to crack down on the president, along with other accounts that seemingly promote violence, harassment, misinformation and more. Communicators should watch for additional updates as well as updated terms of service and safety guidelines.

SOCIAL BUZZ

Oh Thursday, Ben & Jerry’s tweeted a thread condemning the U.S. Capitol riots, declaring that the events were “not a protest,” but instead “a riot to uphold white supremacy”:

“How we respond to the events of yesterday will determine which America we will be,” the ice cream brand’s social media team wrote in its statement.

The powerful Twitter thread was direct, moving and on-brand for Ben & Jerry’s, which has been a fierce advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, calling for elected officials to “dismantle white supremacy” in June 2020, and partnering with athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick on a new flavor called “Change the Whirled.”

You don’t have to be as outspoken as Ben & Jerry’s to take a stand and make a difference on political and social issues. Start by understanding and underlining your organization’s values and setting meaningful goals that will help you better realize them. And don’t forget to reach out to your employees and customers to find out what’s important to them.

MEASURED THOUGHTS

The Abbi Agency published a report titled, “Travel Influencers and Destination Marketing: A 2021 Outlook,” which reported that content creators within the travel industry can help organizations promote messages about traveling safely during COVID-19, as well as the impact traveling has on a specific destination.

Sixty percent of influencers said they’re focusing on eliminating stress and fear surrounding travel, with many posting content “to show fun experiences are possible even with the precautions and regulations.”

Communicators should still proceed with care when working with travel influencers, especially as they don’t want to seem as if they’re promoting activities and behaviors that eschew public health organizations’ and authorities’ guidelines.

However, travel influencers have become more flexible throughout COVID-19, with 30% remaining nimble when it comes to budgets and timelines and 40% reporting trip delays and cancellations:

 

ABBI AGENCY travel influencer research

Image courtesy of The Abbi Agency.

Fifteen percent said they’re already making plans and seeing growing interest for the third and fourth quarter of 2021, so if you’re thinking of partnering with travel influencers, start your discussions and plans now.

You can read the entire report here.

CRISIS LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Looking for more insight on how to address the current global crisis and lead your organization into a strong recovery?

via GIPHY

Join Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Network to connect and brainstorm with peers, get the latest intelligence and research and start to strategize for the future of your organization.

Learn more about this exclusive membership here.

Burger King and the CIA unveil rebrands

The fast food chain unrolled its first new logo in more than 20 years in a rebranding move that drummed up feelings of nostalgia and used colors from its “real and delicious food”:

CNN reported:

Burger King said in a press release that the new “minimalist logo seamlessly meets the brand evolution of the times.” It also pays tribute to brand’s 64-year-old history, with the refreshed look emulating an old logo used from 1969 to 1999.

The CIA also recently debuted its new look:

The CIA’s modern and youthful design and updated typeface attracted critics as well as kudos. Fast Company’s headline read, “The CIA has a trendy new logo. Critics are not impressed,” The New York Times asked: “Is graphic design the C.I.A.’s passion?” and Garage stated, “No, the CIA cannot be cool.”

The response from Twitter users was also mixed:

Why it matters: Rather than highlighting design lessons, the difference in reactions to Burger King’s rebrand vs. the CIA’s new look underlines the importance of community connection and engagement—long before an announcement or launch. Many critics have acknowledged that the CIA’s design isn’t bad, but the snarkiness remains as social media users complain that the government agency is trying too hard too be hip.

SOCIAL BUZZ

Following the U.S. Capitol riots, Axe responded to an image tweeted by The Washington Post’s Mike DeBonis, which featured a “lonely can of Axe body spray” left behind by protesters:

In the three-sentence response, Axe’s social media team distanced itself from the rioters, condemned violence, supported the democratic process and cleverly clapped back at the snarky tweet.

The outstanding tweet shows that you don’t have to create extensive PR statements or flowerly language to stake a stand and highlight your brand values.

TAKE OUR SURVEY

We want to know how PR agencies are building lasting, sustainable relationships with clients, what is working and what is rubbing both parties the wrong way. That’s why we’ve partnered with The Institute for Public Relations on a new survey to learn more about the state of the agency/client relationship.

via GIPHY

Please take this 10-minute survey here.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Starting your day on the right note can make it easier to complete a lengthy to-do list—or, at least, it can make your work more pleasant. Having a good morning can involve carving time out for yourself to meditate or catch up on the news, reaching out to colleagues to connect and strengthen your organization’s culture, or even sipping your favorite beverage. For communicators working from home, the absence of a commute can provide many opportunities for a morning routine that supports your well-being.

via GIPH

Check out these ways to greet the day with a smile:

WHAT YOU SAID

We asked how you responded to the riots at the U.S. Capitol, and 45% of you paused social media scheduling, while nearly 17% said your chief executive issued a statement. Though 4% of you used a combination of tactics, almost 34% didn’t make any changes to their PR, marketing or social media strategies:

Is there a question you’d like us to ask in an upcoming poll? Let us know! Share your thoughts below or on Twitter using the #DailyScoop hashtag.

SOUNDING BOARD

PR Daily readers, what’s your PR, marketing or social media resolution for 2021?

Please weigh in below and share your insights on Twitter, and we’ll share in Monday’s #DailyScoop.

Editor’s note: Ragan Communications may earn a commission through our affiliate partnerships when purchasing items in our content.

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COMMENT

One Response to “Facebook, Instagram and Twitch ban Trump, Burger King and the CIA rebrand, and Ben & Jerry’s rebukes U.S. Capitol riots”

    Ronald N. Levy says:

    The Trump situation raises interesting questions for PR people.

    .1. QUIT OR STAY?

    When an organization is accused of something terrible, is it better to (a) quit and say I want nothing to do with this organization or (b) stay to defend the organization and work from inside to improve it?

    .2. GO SILENT OR KEEP COMMUNICATING?

    Some women who feel victimized by harassment, or minority members by discrimination, may not win in court because they can’t prove it just as Trump failed to prove election frauds in court. Should losers in court (a) stop saying they were abused or (b) figure it’s over so stop complaining? More briefly, if you can’t prove guilt should you stop saying there was guilt?

    .3. SHOULD WE HAVE INSTANT REPLAY?

    Just as NFL football games have instant replay cameras so a team can call for the judges to take another look at what happened, should American elections have some way for each side to present visual evidence that the apparent winner didn’t really win?

    .4. WHAT IS IT GUILTY TO SAY?

    If a losing candidate or a civil rights group says the public got screwed, is that whistle-blowing candidate or group guilty if some people respond by doing criminal things like breaking into stores or into the capitol?

    .5. IS VIOLENCE EVER JUSTIFIED?

    Saudis are blamed for killing Khashoggi, and Americans for killing Iranians we considered to be terrorists, and for executing murderers, but do governments sometimes have a right, perhaps based on non-public information, to kill enemies who endanger the public?

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