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| Domino's Responds to PR Nightmare; Video blankets internet and TV | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 16 2009, 11:44 AM (889 Views) | |
| Steve Wilson | Apr 16 2009, 11:44 AM Post #1 |
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News anchors warned their viewers that the video they were about to witness might be upsetting; particularly to those who might be eating dinner or about to eat. It was the now-famous Domino's video on YouTube, posted by two employees, showing one of them doing "gross things" as one reporter described it, to food about to be served. The video, according to USA Today, had been viewed more than 550,000 times by Wednesday. Millions more saw it on broadcast television. The event showed how fast a video of workers doing gross things to a pizza can become an international story...and a crisis. It also showed how fast you need to react if you want to combat it. And Domino's is getting high marks for its swift response, both on the mainstream media and on the internet. It's not enough to respond simply to the Today Show and show how you reacted. Domino's also responded on consumers blog The Consumerist and Twitter. "Nothing is local anymore," said Domino's spokesman Tim McIntyre. "That's the challenge of the Web world. Any two idiots with a video camera and a dumb idea can damage the reputation of a 50-year-old brand." The two employees who shot the video and put it on YouTube were fired by Domino's and warrants were issued for their arrests. The restaurant was closed for thorough cleaning and suspected contaminated food was thrown out. While the event is at the very least distasteful for patrons of Domino's and other fast-food restaurants and shows how easy it is to bring a big restaurant chain to its knees, Domino's did about as good as it could in responding. The only thing it could have done better; prevent it from happening in the first place. That, unfortunately, would be difficult, if not impossible. |
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| WGCI | Apr 16 2009, 01:18 PM Post #2 |
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I think Youtube pulled the original video, but it still lives on in news stories. |
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| kellyM | Apr 16 2009, 01:39 PM Post #3 |
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That video is disgusting! How long will it take for Domino's to disassociate itself with that image? Even though they might have done "the right thing" in a prompt fashion, people are still going to think about that video when they think of Domino's. Just wondering out loud: How much of that is going on in restaurants that we don't know of? |
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| Ron Higgins | Apr 16 2009, 01:44 PM Post #4 |
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The reporter in the video WGCI posted asks the same question I'd like to have answered. Why would you hire someone with a criminal record to work at a restaurant? Domino's corporate says checking out local employees is a local responsibility. Local Domino's didn't comment. I'm not convinced Domino's is off the hook with their fast response. Isn't there some kind of managerial supervision that's supposed to keep something like this from happening? Or, were the two people who did the video, running the place. Either way, it doesn't look good. |
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| WGCI | Apr 16 2009, 02:40 PM Post #5 |
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Domino's is now using Youtube to respond. It shows one that in this new age it sometimes is possible to bypass the mainstream media altogether. |
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| Bart | Apr 16 2009, 03:00 PM Post #6 |
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Here are two segments of the original video... As some have suggested, Youtube should change it's name to IncriminateYourself.com. However, I think one of the biggest lessons learned from the old Pepsi Scare was when someone messes with your companies food, prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. |
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| Dstevens | Apr 16 2009, 03:03 PM Post #7 |
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I thought the president of Domino's did a good job in his YouTube response. He had a good message, stuck to it and delivered it sincerely. Good job, Domino's. |
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| Alton Lagan | Apr 16 2009, 04:21 PM Post #8 |
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According to the video, she was back in her office reading the newspaper, like she always does. See, newspapers aren't dead after all. 
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| Allison Combs | Apr 21 2009, 03:00 PM Post #9 |
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Unless I've missed something, Domino's appears to coming out of this pretty well. I haven't seen any recent publicity on the episode and Domino's is advertising - at least in my community - as if nothing happened. Chalk one up for a fast, decisive response to a very delicate situation. |
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| Dstevens | Apr 22 2009, 05:30 PM Post #10 |
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I agree that it looks like Domino's is doing a good job. But the next internet crisis is already taking its place: The Craigslist Killer! |
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