“Made in USA?”
A report covered by Bulldog Reporter tells about Walmart’s attempt at trying to deceive their customers by wrongly claiming its products were “Made in USA”. The FTC already caught several problems with Walmart falsely representing its products online in the past. After the FTC confronted Walmart the first time, Walmart ensured its plan by taking back the “Made in USA” claim. However, still today, researchers sampling Walmart’s products find a great abundance of misrepresented products.
The article is important because it shows how important it is to be honest in a business. Walmart is a huge, well-known, and popular company; but that doesn’t excuse them from getting into trouble. Honesty in any aspect of work is one of the most important values. In deceiving customers, the company is setting itself up for the risk of hurting their business and losing trust. Proper and correct research and the truth are some things that always need to be checked.
The Redefining of PR
David Kellis, the director of PR and social media for the Clorox Co., states, "Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest—they're not social media platforms anymore, they're advertising publishers." PR News Online informs about the changes of PR due to social media. Social media plays a huge role today for advertising. With talk of moving non-paid advertising online to paid advertising online, the part of a PR professional changes. Kellis also brings out the point of “earned media” is a result of producing shareable social media ads. He adds that in the past, PR’s focus included magazines and other such media, and today, that focus shifts to social media. Their point of PR looks at “earning” media impressions by sharing ads online. He wraps up his point of “earned media” by explaining, “The earned part is critical, because we’re no longer measuring organic social campaigns—that’s completely out the window.”
Social media truly is becoming a huge platform for advertising, which means that it is extremely important to learn how to adjust to it use it in a way that will positively impact the company. As this way of advertising only continues to grow, the importance of sharing ads and “earned media”. All these significant changes mean something for PR professionals and includes adjustment.
Alexis,
ReplyDeleteI think both of your stories are really great choices. I agree with your reasoning behind the Walmart story. No matter how large a company becomes, it is important for them to remain truthful and honest with their customers. Great job!
Thanks, Kaitlyn!
DeleteThe Walmart story really made me kind of wonder how much huge and successful companies truly see the importance of truth and honesty with their customers. I mean, I'm sure it's still a big thing they consider, but just because of how many customers they have and whatnot, it still makes me sort of wonder.
Alexis,
ReplyDeleteGreat posts! They are both well written and very newsworthy! I didn't even hear about your first story! That is a very interesting story. As our book discusses it is very important as a company to gain trust with your customers.
Thank you, Linds.
DeleteTrust is one of the most important things to build with customers, and I think it's interesting how such a big company is okay with going against it.
Social media is most definately becomming a huge form of advertising. Organizations need to gain trust with their customers. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Megan. I appreciate your input!
DeleteGreat post. Social media is so important for advertising, and a great social media post can be spread to millions without costing the company anything!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy.
DeleteSocial media continues to grow (which I think is insane considering how big of a thing it is now), so I agree with you about being a great way to spread the word! I also am able to notice how large the transition is from social (family and friends) to advertising.
I too posted an analysis of Walmart's "Made In USA" labeling for their online shoppers. The latest news I reported on was that they are trying to swoon customers and followers with their newly designed blog site Walmart Today. They have hired a new digital staff to boost their brand and according to the company’s blog site it states how they have been on the path since 2013 to purchase $250 billion worth of goods that support American jobs http://blog.walmart.com/us-manufacturing/20160701/one-big-yes-for-products-that-support-american-jobs.
ReplyDeleteGreg-
DeleteWow, that's really interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I thought that it was an interesting story to talk about. Walmart already has so much money and so much hype and we know they will be around for a long time. I don't understand why the need to lie about the Made in USA.
ReplyDeleteKenneth-
DeleteWhen I read the story, I thought the same exact thing. I don't see the point of them lying either.