Think Before Your Tweet - A MUST READ!!

Websters dictionary definition of Genius: a person having an extraordinarily high intelligence rating on a psychological test, as an IQ above 140.

A recent Tweet from "Keyinfluencer", a.k.a. Mr. Andrews in the post below, has landed him in a world of pain. He might has well have gone in and given them all the finger. Mr. Andrews is an agency representative from Ketchum - A National PR firm based out of New York. The tweet was posted BEFORE his presentation to 150 employees at FedEx (HQ'd in Memphis). It eventually found it's way back to the Vice President of FedEx, Directors of multiple departments, their entire communications group as well as the higher ups at Ketchum.

I used to live in Memphis and am well aware that most of the folks that work at FedEx live there, so it's no huge surprise they took offense to it. I would guess that his butt actually ate the seat while reading the following response from FedEx.

"Mr. Andrews,

If I interpret your post correctly, these are your comments about Memphis a few hours after arriving in the global headquarters city of one of your key and lucrative clients, and the home of arguably one of the most important entrepreneurs in the history of business, FedEx founder Fred Smith.

Many of my peers and I feel this is inappropriate. We do not know the total millions of dollars FedEx Corporation pays Ketchum annually for the valuable and important work your company does for us around the globe. We are confident however, it is enough to expect a greater level of respect and awareness from someone in your position as a vice president at a major global player in your industry. A hazard of social networking is people will read what you write.

Not knowing exactly what prompted your comments, I will admit the area around our airport is a bit of an eyesore, not without crime, prostitution, commercial decay, and a few potholes. But there is a major political, community, religious, and business effort underway, that includes FedEx, to transform that area. We’re hopeful that over time, our city will have a better “face” to present to visitors.

James, everyone participating in today’s event, including those in the auditorium with you this morning, just received their first paycheck of 2009 containing a 5% pay cut… which we wholeheartedly support because it continued the tradition established by Mr. Smith of doing whatever it takes to protect jobs.

Considering that we just entered the second year of a U.S. recession, and we are experiencing significant business loss due to the global economic downturn, many of my peers and I question the expense of paying Ketchum to produce the video open for today’s event; work that could have been achieved by internal, award-winning professionals with decades of experience in television production.

Additionally Mr. Andrews, with all due respect, to continue the context of your post; true confession: many of my peers and I don’t see much relevance between your presentation this morning and the work we do in Employee Communications."

Reading this was like watching someone falling down on the ice and they can't get their hands out of their pockets. You know it's gonna be ugly but you can't help but laugh and thank God it isn't you.

Thanks to Peter Shankman for getting a hold of this letter.

www.TheAntiPimp.com