FlackList Blog

As a PR pro, I like to keep up on what’s working and what isn’t, and it really surprised me to learn that Taco Bell’s recent free taco Facebook campaign flopped. I mean who doesn't want a free taco? Apparently not many folks. According to Social Commerce today, only 3 percent of Taco Bell’s six million fans acted on the free deal, leaving the company scratching its head as to why. So I started a blog post on how to make sure your f-commerce promo doesn't flop. As I was cleaning it up, I realized that wasn't the story here. Another was that this may be a f-commerce flop but it was a downright PR win.

For example, I had no idea of the initiative until it was over and Taco Bell came out saying, “we can’t even give away our food.”Taco Bell threw its hands up and admitted their brilliant idea didn't work, and the media listened. Since when do companies actually spill the beans that they failed? How many times have you tried to convince a client to do it while they dial the number of your boss saying they are beginning to question your judgement?

So Taco Bell failed at their free taco initiative. Boo hoo…they’ve saved thousands in inventory and now even more people know where they can now go to get a free taco…their Facebook page.

Have you shared your company or client's failures with the media? 

In the words of Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Seth Meyer, “Really, FTD and Groupon? You wouldn’t think folks would notice that you jacked up prices on a different website? Really? I mean we might pay out the wazoo for roses on Valentine’s Day but you don’t think we still wouldn’t price compare on the INTERNET? Really?”

I’m pretty appalled by Groupon and FTD in this whole ordeal. It’s great that they are refunding peeved consumers’ money for the supposed $20 for $40 worth of merchandise deal but you can’t buy back people’s trust. I personally wouldn’t go back to a site that tried to rip me off and I might turn on over to Living Social from Groupon since the monster discount company appears to be getting lazy in their deal checking. 

It’s so sad that a PR success turned into a PR massacre because of greed. Would you use these vendors again? What would you do if you were in their PR reps shoes?