Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologizes (Not Really)
By Ben Haber
March 9th, 2011
Earlier today someone accidentally posted a tweet from Chrysler’s official Twitter account using some not-so-choice language. The tweet read, “I find it ironic that Detroit is known as the #motorcity and yet no one here knows how to f**king drive.”
Shortly after, the tweet was deleted and Chrysler posted an apology: “Our apologies – our account was compromised earlier today. We are taking steps to resolve it.”
While some people and news outlets have drawn similarities between Chrysler’s response with the recent Red Cross Twitter mishap, I believe they are completely different situations and responses. The Red Cross admitted mistake, and didn’t try to blame anyone else for what had happened. However, Chrysler’s apology uses the word “compromised” – which alludes to something happening out of their control, specifically, the account being hacked.
If rumors are true, and the person handling this account posted the tweet under Chrysler’s handle instead of their own, that’s not an account being compromised, that’s a mistake.
So don’t hide behind excuses, such as claiming to be the victim of some failure, compromise or hacking. Chrysler – and any other company – that makes an honest mistake with their social media properties should admit it. At the least, it provides a funny story and a positive case study.
Entry Filed under: Tweet #fail,Twitter
14 Comments Add your own
1. Lauren McCarty | March 9th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Great post! Totally agree that those situations were completely different. The Red Cross used it as an opportunity for education and admitted that they’re human and make mistakes. The Red Cross didn’t delete the tweet, knowing that once it’s out there you can’t really do anything. Chrysler didn’t handle this well.
2. Ginger Lennon | March 9th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologies (Kind Of) http://goo.gl/fb/dZowJ via @RaceTalk Blog
3. racepointgroup | March 9th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologies (Kind Of) http://goo.gl/fb/dZowJ via @RaceTalk Blog
4. RaceTalk | March 9th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
New RaceTalk Post: Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologies (Kind Of) http://bit.ly/hiEGH8
5. Lindsey Boxer | March 9th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
RT @racepointgroup: Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologies (Kind Of) http://goo.gl/fb/dZowJ via @RaceTalk Blog
6. O'Dwyer's | March 9th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies — kind of (Racepoint's @bhaber602): http://bit.ly/dVuRAG
7. Ginger Lennon | March 9th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
RT @odwyerpr: Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies — kind of (Racepoint's @bhaber602): http://bit.ly/dVuRAG
8. Emily Pflug | March 9th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies – sort of (via @odwyerpr & @bhaber602 of @racepoint) http://t.co/fyTYANJ”
9. Christopher Lee | March 9th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
RT @kmatthews: Uh. Oops. @odwyerpr: Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies – kind of (Racepoint's @bhaber602): http://t.co/RwRWli2
10. Kari Van Horn | March 9th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
RT @odwyerpr: Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies — kind of (Racepoint's @bhaber602): http://bit.ly/dVuRAG
11. Emily Pflug | March 9th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Chrysler Twitter account drops f-bomb, apologies-sort of (via @odwyerpr @bhaber602) http://bit.ly/dVuRAG”
12. Brittany Falconer | March 10th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Different responses, and different sentiments. Less relevant, but perhaps still worth noting: Red Cross’s whoopsy-daisy was good natured and totally separate, albeit irresponsible. Chrysler’s boo-boo, on the other hand, was angry, direct, and unfortunately, still distantly related to the company.
13. Gessenia Votta | March 10th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
RT @RaceTalk: New RaceTalk Post: Chrysler Twitter Account Drops F-Bomb, Apologies (Kind Of) http://bit.ly/hiEGH8
14. Raymond Deplazes | March 10th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Indeed. That's going down in a ball of flames. RT @bhaber602: This is one way to get fired: http://bit.ly/hIvaDK
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