Thursday, March 11, 2010

Train Wrecks and The Downside of Social Media

PR guru Kelly Cutrone (center) celebrating after a successful fashion event.

As I mentioned the other day, I was being killed slowly by the stomach bug. So as I lay dying, I flipped on the TV, because, what else was I going to do on my deathbed?

I came across a new program on Bravo, “Kell on Earth,” a reality TV show that focuses on PR guru Kelly Cutrone and her company People’s Revolution. And, like any good Bravo train wreck, I got sucked in and watched a couple of episodes. I guess I’m especially fascinated with this show because I have worked in public relations and while I haven’t been surrounded by the crazy divas of the fashion world - something that Kelly’s group specializes in - I served as a PR manager in the performing arts and, well, there’s plenty of drama to go around there.

If there’s a lesson to be learned about social media and how stupid people use it, I saw it on this show. After firing one of the assistants and having one quit because she was about to be fired, the People’s Revolution staff brought in several applicants for interviews. One gal was a finalist and had the skills for the job, yet made the mistake of writing about it on Twitter. When one of the People’s Revolution staffers was doing a Twitter-check of the company name/brand a few minutes later, this gal had tweeted that she was in the office, a shoe-in for job, had seen the Bravo camera crews, etc. The staff was floored, given that one of the qualifications for the job is discretion because of their high-profile clients. (Although, if it’s about discretion, why have a reality TV show? But, hey, that’s just me…) Anyhoo, little Miss Twit was called and her job offer was revoked. Moral of the story, kids? Don’t put your sh#! out on Twitter, Facebook or anything else a potential employer may read.

As a colleague of mine says, "There are only three things that might appear to stand the test of time: cockroaches, the pyramids at Giza, and that inappropriate picture of you on Facebook."
Image courtesy of zimbio.com

16 comments:

Southern Aspirations said...

LOL at the quote. But it's so true. What is out there on the internet is out there for everone... forever (or so it seems now).

Jessica Thor-Miller said...

As someone who is not too far removed from this lifecasting generation, I cringe each time I hear of something like this. We are raising a generation without filters (or some would say commonsense). A Jackie Kennedy Onassis quote is appropriate for such a situation:
"I want to live my life, not record it."

Jessica Ryan said...

what a dummy! The thing with these "kids" is that they do no yet know how to use social media properly. And then they have to learn the hard way. I love Kell on earth but did not see that episode.

I worked for a fashion PR firm in the city. It was cut-throat and BRUTAL. In my 20s I was too sensitive and couldn't hack the nastiness. I quit and went on to work in marketing in CT. It was a much better fit.

James said...

A very interesting post. Its great to know that you can be amusing from your death bed isn't it? I hope you feel better soon. Oh about your comment on Tish's site, I refuse to believe it happens rarely!

Laura said...

Love this post and so sorry you haven't been feeling well sweetie! Isn't it amazing how we take these shows as gospel. BTW I am addicted to Millionaire Matchmaker.Please don't tell....

Seersucker Scrapper said...

Serves her right to lose the job. How dumb can you be?

JMW said...

I love everyone's comments!

MT,
The quote from JKO is perfection. I could not agree more!

James,
So sweet of you to say. Perhaps I just don't clue in that it's actually happening, if and when it happens!

bevy said...

What a dingbat! These kids think they are invincible...

Toad said...

please do get well soon. I am truly heartened by the clients who have bolted this train wreck of a show.

CRICKET said...

I was watching previews of the show the other night and there was some accident and it peeked my interest. For some Kelly has always seemed so scary tome when I saw her on The Hills.

myletterstoemily said...

what we tell our kids all the time!

watch out for cockroaches on facebook!

my husband made me get an account to
hold our kids accountable, and the little
pests all went 'underground'

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

So true. I love Kelly.

Coryanne Ettiene | Kitchen Living with Coryanne said...

your final point about the picture on facebook made me laugh, I see so many 'iffy' pictures and wonder why oh why each time. So glad I found your other blog.

Town and Country House said...

Yes, seems it's called the "world wide web" for a reason! Privacy? Not so much!

Haven and Home said...

Hilarious, I saw this too and could not believe it.

Erin said...

I love that show! xx