A comedy bit on Fox News went sadly awry, and proved the power of a video going viral. The “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld” show featured Greg Gutfeld doing a riff on the war in Afghanistan. His insults and ignorance led to the remark, “I didn’t even know they were in the war."
The Daily Observer said, "The segment features American panelists suggesting Canadian soldiers need time off for 'manicures and pedicures.'"
There was follow up banter by the rest of the crew and the Canada bloggers came unglued, forcing apologies from the segment participants.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Viral Videos
- Opportunity for businesses to create compelling video content that can quickly gain widespread attention and reach a large audience.
- Social Media Backlash
- Businesses need to be aware of the potential negative impacts of their online content and be prepared to handle criticism or apologize when necessary.
- Cross-border Sensitivities
- Companies operating internationally should be mindful of cultural sensitivities and avoid making derogatory remarks that could lead to backlash or damage their reputation.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Media and Entertainment
- Opportunity for media companies to create engaging content that resonates with viewers and has the potential to go viral.
- Marketing and Public Relations
- PR professionals can help businesses navigate social media backlash and manage crisis communications in the event of controversial content going viral.
- International Relations
- Opportunity for businesses operating globally to strengthen cross-border relations by promoting cultural sensitivity and avoiding controversial remarks that may offend foreign audiences.
