Social Media Risk and Reward   Dear Sophie  By Karen Masullo, EVP Social Media, Firestorm Warning: I’m going to ask for your participation at the end of this short article. Why? There’s a little commercial video for Chrome – Google’s web browser - that has been circling the interwebs called “Dear Sophie” – you may have seen it. It has garnered more than 3.5 Million views since May 2, 2011. I’m not going to tell you what it’s about because I want you to watch it objectively and then comment. My reason in asking your opinion is my interest in the gamut of reactions people have had to it.  From “it’s wonderful – I cried,” to “We’re in for a frightening future.” The ad was created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty, whose clients – in addition to Google - include British Airways and Burberry. It is exceptionally well produced. The video echoes Facebook’s upcoming “Timeline” ...

Social Media Risk – When an Employee Quit Goes Viral   What’s all in fun for one may be a security risk for another  By Karen Masullo, EVP Social Media, Firestorm Every business has had an employee abruptly quit; sometimes it’s a simple phone call or no show for a shift and sometimes, it’s a viral YouTube video. Yup. Get ready for the Social Quit as demonstrated by 23 year old Joey DeFrancesco, a former Marriott Hotels employee. DeFrancesco was an unhappy employee and had been for some time.  He fantasized about quitting in a “spectacular” way. That way was an early morning resignation accompanied by a 19-piece alternative brass band of which he is a member (What Cheer Brigade), filmed for YouTube, and shared to Cheer Brigade's 4700+ Facebook fans. DeFrancesco says he's been overwhelmed by the response to the video, which has racked up more than a million YouTube v...