Comments on: Big Three Bailout: What about your consumers?

By: mara2009

mara2009 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:56:37 +0000

I’ve been following this story. I do think that many of the companies, especially the automobile ones, asking for governmental assistance, need public relations help. For instance, the representatives of “the Big Three” irritated Congress by flying on their private jets and not decreasing their salaries or taking other cost-reduction methods. It’s surprising to me how disconnected many of these companies are about how image affects the way the public views them.

By: marialinda17

marialinda17 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:41:19 +0000

I remember hearing about this situation. I believe the CEOs were even asked if they would give up their private planes and none of them responded. Obviously a “no” to that one. They just weren’t thinking. If you’re coming to ask for a great deal of money don’t do anything extravagant that makes the request seem ridiculous. These CEOs definitely needed PR guidance to avoid negative media coverage. Personally, I don’t think they should be granted such a large bailout.

By: letsgoblogging

letsgoblogging — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:51:29 +0000

This subject matter goes way beyond PR, but I do agree that these big time corporations are not effectively communicating. I also heard about how the CEOs traveled by private jets, which in the realm of things, does not present the greatest image especially when they are asking for bailout money. Although a little PR assistance could have possibly shun some negative light away from this, I think the problems go way deeper and they need a lot more than a good image to show off to the media and consumers.

By: ccharvey

ccharvey — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:18:53 +0000

This seems like a PR nightmare to me. Throughout the media, the only thing that is projected about the automobile industry is their actions with the private jets and the notion of greed. What happened to the PR department focusing on disseminating the strongest message to benefit their client? How are consumers supposed to support the auto industry if they aren’t looking for ways to help them? I think a strong PR team could have prevented all of this negative publicity.

By: davemerenda

davemerenda — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:45:14 +0000

The “Big Three” need to justify their needs to the American people. It is ridiculous that they are seeking a bailout for their own failures that could easily have been avoided. These fat cats are greedy and as much as their demise will negatively impact our economy, I think that their downfall is what it will take to get things back on track.

By: kakeane

kakeane — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:00:13 +0000

I agree with asbrooks, in that these companies should be gathering consumer support. They would have not only more people, but more negotiating power than they do now, while keeping consumers in the dark. While I don’t think the bailout is a great plan, these companies aren’t using their consumers to their advantage, which certainly is ignoring a vital stakeholder.

By: asbrooks04

asbrooks04 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:41:59 +0000

I agree with the idea that the auto makers could be doing more to garner support from “everyday” people, i.e. consumers. I think most people are pretty sick of hearing the financial jargon and most get that this could mean massive job loss. But, outside of those directly affected by it, there really isn’t any really clear communication happening directly to the country on how we would all be affected.

By: knish21087

knish21087 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:42:06 +0000

I heard about this on the news a few days ago. They were talking about how the “Big Three” are in trouble and are now saying they need a bailout even though they fly private jets and are living the high life. As Americans I think that we have become spoiled. We will get to a certain point where we actually have more than what we need but we think that everything we have is absolutely necessary. Once anyone starts losing their little spoils in life they start freaking out and will do anything to get them back. I really don’t think that this bailout is necessary.