Filed under: Marketing & PR, Newsworthy | Tags: Boston, Boston college student, boston marriot, Boston University, Boston University Medical School, Craigslist, Craigslist apology, Craigslist CEO, Craigslist personal safety tips, craigslist.com, Facebook, Jim Buckmaster, Julissa Brisman, philip markoff, PR, Public Relations, Twitter, westin, westin robbery
I’ve been getting comments! On the evening I posted about Craigslist’s poor decision to remain essentially inactive about its role in Philip Markoff’s crimes, a reader fed the conversation! (I had voiced my disappointment and shock with the site’s lack of an “apology”) The contributor asserted:
“An apology, from a legal standpoint, implies at least some degree of responsibility, which is why you won’t see one from anyone at Craigslist. Their position, which they repeat anytime they come under fire for enabling prostitution, is that they are not and cannot be responsible for the content posted by the individuals who use the site.”
-Comment by fjgallagher April 22, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
While I will say that “from a legal standpoint,” Craigslist may not owe anyone an apology (especially since law certainly is not my professed area of professional development), we’re talking about PR–which, in many cases, covers everything OUTSIDE and BEYOND the law. Step 1: Get permission to exist. Step 2: Get people’ta want us.
When it comes down to it, though, it’s really my fault for phrasing that preferential response as an “apology.” Forgive me, I meant it in quite a general sense.
More specifically, I believe Craigslist needs to join the dialogue–especially since its execs are far too late to start it, as they absolutely should have. But even though it might seem like a huge possibility, this isn’t just about breaking the law. At least, it doesn’t have to be. Rather, it’s about going that extra mile for the good of the company.
Even as a person who posts to Craigslist and browses the job postings, I know the company obviously does not have to pay any special attention to this matter. But I do think Jim Buckmaster would be a complete idiot from a PR perspective not to address the issue with simpathetic, humbled rhetoric.
To clarify, Craigslist should AT THE VERY LEAST:
-Give its condolences and express its outrage as a part of its position on the issue
Buckmaster has done this for the media, but what about on the site? It still lacks some humanistic voice to reassure hesitant users.
-Update its Personal Safety Tips page appropriately.
…I’m still waiting…
-Give related info referring to all of the above on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Wow, so, like, Craigslist users would, like, ah, be on those networks??
…
-Most importantly, EMAIL ALL USERS!!!!!
Come on, people. It takes like 10 minutes. You’re obviously not spending any of your precious time reviewing people’s submissions. There is virtually no design on the site. What are you doing with your time?
Sorry, I digress.
My point is that Craigslist isn’t there for its users to the extent that it needs to be. Craigslist’s failure to be proactive has forced it to succeed in assuming the defensive.
The company has officially lost my business; I would not recommend its services to anyone who’s safety I care about.
Filed under: Marketing & PR, Newsworthy | Tags: Boston college student, boston marriot, Boston University, Boston University Medical School, BU, Craigslist, Craigslist CEO, craigslist.com, Jim Buckmaster, Julissa Brisman, killer, online classified, philip markoff, post, PR, Public Relations, Quincy, sublet, westin robbery
Two things about the Craigslist killer situation are hard for me to wrap my head around:
1) Right now, it seems the killer is a BU med student w/no previous criminal record, a fiance, and the physical appearance of normalcy. He looks like someone my friends and I would chat with at a local bar. HOW ODD. Feeling a little uneasy about my post looking for a summer subletter on the classifieds site.
That being said, please rent from me. Please. Pretty please??
2) How come Craigslist has no apology on the site? A Monday CNN article included a quote from the site’s CEO saying they were all “horrified”.. Alright, at least that’s something. But what about something else? How about
- an email to all posters!
- an email to all current users!
- an apology on twitter!
- an apology on facebook!
- some details about the increased security the company is developing for those who post to the site!
- an updated, detailed warning to be safe when posting–for good measure!
The site’s Personal Safety Tips page was “last updated on September 15, 2008.” Nice.
But wait, a CNN article that was posted a little over three hours ago features an interview with CEO of Craiglist Jim Buckmaster.
FINALLY. Good thing this came six days after the initial finding that the thread between both women was Craigslist. Tisk, Tisk.
I wonder how many people will stop using the site now. I certainly will be more careful before giving anyone any personal info if email contact ensues about a posting. Not sure how safe I feel about it now. Think they’ll lose any business?
That being said, again, please peruse my post for a summer sublet in BU’s South Campus.
