Two articles, one about Facebook and one about the attack on Chick-fil-A that are entirely unconnected but may both be a symptom of a dissatisfaction with the negative side of social media.
The first, a report in a financial newsletter that the real value of Facebook shares should be $7.50 , and some reasons for that opinion. I published a post about it with a link to the article on my Focused Prosperity blog
The second, a blog post by Connie Sung Moyle on the Vertical Response Marketing blog about the Chick-fil-A “kerfuffle”. I have already nailed my colours to the mast on this issue in my post last week. Social Media as Judge…
It seems that Chick-fil-A might come out of this “kerfuffle” stronger than before, reports of record sales and a huge show of support from its loyal customer base, a surprising amount of support also from some who disagree with the chain’s conservative, Christian values but disagree more strongly with those trying to deny the company owners the right to express their views.
Is there a common thread connecting these two reports?
Are social media fans becoming insensitive to the waves of chatter flooding the platforms whenever some group or other decides to launch a crusade against an organisation, person or brand it has taken a dislike to?
Did the excitement about the Olympics trump the supposed widespread indignation about the owners of a restaurant chain exercising their constitutional right to express an opinion on a subject that is clearly a concern of a large segment of their customers? Did timing save Chick-fil-A?
Or was it just a tempest in a teacup fanned by a few politicians trying to capitalise on a movement that was not widely supported?
All interesting speculation and this is certainly not the last negative attack campaign that will be launched. Will it lead to an increase in social media burnout? Or members of the big platforms like Facebook abandoning it in favour of smaller, more specialised sites that have a more cohesive membership.
Whatever the future direction of social media, I am quite happy that I do not own any Facebook stock.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
Wishing you success.
Hi Peter,
Great post, and Yes – I do agree. The possibilities of users leaving the bigger networks to
more (even local) smaller networks due to social media burnout is quite a feasible
speculation.