Filed under: Social Media | Tags: Alisa555, Domino's pizza, extra credit, PR crisis comm, Social media, YouTube
When two Domino’s employees thought it would be downright hilarious to post videos of themselves tampering with pizza on YouTube, they probably didn’t take time to think about the powers of social media. Within days, the revolting video, which showed employee Michael Setzer sticking cheese up his nose before putting it on a pizza as employee Kristy Hammonds maniacally laughed in the background, was being circultated on every A-D list blog in the country and Domino’s pizza had a crisis on its (hopefully washed) hands.
Patrick Doyle, president of Domino’s USA decided to use a social media outlet as well when he addressed the issue. Like his scheming and disgusting employees, he decided to create a YouTube video as well. In my opinion, he did a good job addressing the issue (even though it was blatantly obvious that he was reading from a script). He informed viewers that Domino’s was taking the incident seriously and was doing everything in their power to make sure this doesn’t occur again.
However, here’s the thing: I feel that every time you order food, you’re taking a risk. If you’re a drunk college kid who is shouting obcenities to the pizza phone operator at 2 a.m, there’s a good chance they will tamper with your food in some way. This isn’t an issue that can be controlled or managed extensively because every branch has different management and different employees. The cliche phrase “don’t be mean to your waiter or they will spit in your food” had to start somewhere and while the video showing the Domino’s employees mutilating the pizza was revolting and tested my gag reflex, it’s probably not an isolated incident. They were just stupid enough to film themselves.
If there are any lessons to be learned from this snot-filled PR nightmare, they are:
1.) Be nice to the people that handle your food
2.) Know that social media is powerful enough to take a single YouTube video and make it viral within hours or even days. Therefore, if you want to blow your nose in a ball of dough, keep the camera away.
3.) Stupid people are everywhere.
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After reading this article and watching the youtube clip, I can state that I am thoroughly disgusted with the fast food industry. “Be nice to the waiter or else they will spit in your food,” has been a common saying that I have grown up hearing. I have always adhered to this saying mostly because I cannot find it in myself to be rude to anyone on a general basis.
Nonetheless, after hearing about the incident concerning these two Domino’s employees, I have to question the management for Domino’s as well as other fast food restaurants. Are there not any cameras in the back to monitor the events that are occurring behind the eyes of the public. I feel as though there should be stricter monitoring of fast food restaurants as well as sit down restaurants.
Acts such as spitting and playing with the food that is going to be served to the general public is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Action must be taken immediately.
Comment by aisha30 May 10, 2009 @ 8:27 pmAfter reading this article and watching the youtube clip, I can state that I am thoroughly disgusted with the fast food industry. “Be nice to the waiter or else they will spit in your food,” has been a common saying that I have grown up hearing. I have always adhered to this saying mostly because I cannot find it in myself to be rude to anyone on a general basis.
Nonetheless, after hearing about the incident concerning these two Domino’s employees, I have to question the management for Domino’s as well as other fast food restaurants. Are there not any cameras in the back to monitor the events that are occurring behind the eyes of the public. I feel as though there should be stricter monitoring of fast food restaurants as well as sit down restaurants.
Acts such as spitting and playing with the food that is going to be served to the general public is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Action must be taken immediately!
Comment by Aisha May 10, 2009 @ 9:03 pmI find it very interesting that President of Domino’s Patrick Doyle responded to the PR disaster via YouTube, the same social media outlet his disgusting employees utilized in the first place. I think that fact alone reveals the extent of how much YouTube and other similar media outlets are used today by such diverse audiences.
On another note, I agree: These foul employees definitely didn’t comprehend (or care about?) the power of social media, and in particular, YouTube. On the other hand, maybe they did fully understand and just desired their 15 minutes of fame. Either way, this is an absolutely revolting example of a news media disaster. It’s safe to say Domino’s has their hands full.
Comment by Victoria May 11, 2009 @ 4:31 am