(UPDATED 8:40 a.m. 06/09/06: The GM blog noted below is not the FastLane blog as I first posted. The blog is GM’s new FYI blog. Okay, no more late night blogging. That’s two straight sloppy posts. I’m sorry.)
In the past week or so, GM’s FYI Blog has shown an important media relations/PR benefit to corporate blogs: If you don’t like how the media treats you, post your own news (or, opinion in this case). (For Part I of BBWB, see here.)
Well, the gist is that GM didn’t like a column by New York Times columnist (and author) Thomas L. Friedman. (The column is a TimesSelect, and I don’t subscribe. Though, you can get a free, 14-day trial.) According to GM, Friedman’s column said, among other things:
Imagine our shock when we read yesterday that GM is âmore dangerous to Americaâs futureâ than any other company, is âlike a crack dealerâ addicting helpless Americans to SUVs, and is in a cabal with Ford and DaimlerChrysler to buy votes in Congress.
So, like any company who feels it has been wronged, it sought out to get a rebuttal and give its own side. Well, per another post Thursday, GM and the NYT couldn’t come to agreement on a letter to the editor.
So, GM posted its side of the story with the NYT, its original letter, its edited version, and the e-mail correspondence with the NYT.
WOW!
Granted, not every company is as big or demands the attention GM does. However, what it did can still be copied by other companies. And, you don’t have to be a “Fortune”-type company to do so. You just have to blog (hopefully, with an established blogging track record).
Even if you are new as a corporate blogger, if you find yourself in disagreement with a local media outlet, you can post your side on your blog, and let the other local media know (if you don’t think they are regularly visiting your blog). But, don’t go posting your $0.02 about every disagreement. Make sure it’s worth it. Like in all disagreements, pick your battles.
Looks like GM did.
– Mike
Technorati tags: GM, New York Times, corporate blogging, PR, public relations
