Yes, you PepsiCo, are you listening?
There are many of us out that blog and use social networks that are fans. Sure, we may not be the top five in the A list, but is our thirst and opinion any less important?
It has recently come to my attention that Pepsi has a room on FriendFeed. This room is purportedly for Pepsi fans. It’s a bit odd of an arrangement though. It seems in this room only a few select individuals can actually post.
Pepsi hand picked four guys to make all of the posts. The rest of us FriendFeeders get to just make comments. Those will even be moderated. Don’t believe me? Here’s the scoop from the room.
Welcome to The Pepsi Cooler. Join us as together we shape Pepsi’s social media future. We’re changing the way we do things and want to have you along for the ride. Contributors include Bart Casabona, Bonin Bough and Josh Karpf from Pepsi and Steve Rubel from Edelman. Note: comments are held for moderation but we will get them up as quickly as we can.)
Pepsi just doesn’t seem to get it on more than one front it appears. They hand pick the talkers; they moderate the comments; they claim you are joining them as ‘we’ shape the future of Pepsi’s social media future.
News flash, that future came without you. Pepsi folks have been talking about you online for quite a while now. They’ve been sharing stories, facts, pictures and forming groups without your involvement. Have you totally missed those of us doing that sharing?
Here’s a clue Pepsi, join the conversation and community, don’t try to run it. Your few fans that realize the room exists aren’t likely to use it. They can’t even post there. Where’s your presence on Flickr? What about Twitter?
It’s not enough to have an idea on those platforms. It’s about joining in and being part of the talk your fans are already having.
On a personal note, I’ve been posting pictures, and writing good things about your Diet Pepsi brand for 2 years now and not a peep from you. Perhaps you’d have noticed that if your team had searched around a bit for those conversations instead of trying to push it down to your fans.
I’m calling you to the mat Pepsi team. Step up your game. Bring out someone on your team that loves your brand and is ready to be the face of that brand on the social networks. Find someone that will find us fans, and those that aren’t, and engage them where they are.
Where are you? I stand here in the midst of web 2.0 waiting for you.
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