Komen learns power of social media: Facebook, Twitter fueled fury

[avaistheone1]

Facebook and Twitter, take a bow. The head of Planned Parenthood on Friday credited the two social media platforms with forcing Susan G. Komen for the Cure to reverse course on its plan to withhold funding earmarked for breast health screenings.

Facebook and Twitter were the first to catch wind of the controversy -- and that led the mainstream media to sit up and take notice, said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The social media giants then led the online world in delivering a furious barrage of criticism over a move that many saw as trying to politicize women's health.

"It's been incredible; we're still sifting through the numbers," Richards said in a media conference call Friday morning. In addition to picking up $3 million in donations in just three days -- directly related to the awareness raised by social media -- Planned Parenthood's Facebook "likes" and Twitter followers increased by thousands upon thousands. Facebook alone picked up more than 10,000 "likes."

By contrast, Komen -- an organization accustomed to accumulating accolades and messages of support on its Facebook page -- was drowning in thousands upon thousands of critical comments.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/02/facebook-twitter-fueled-fury-against-in-susan-g-komen-for-the-cure-.html

[SaveOurDemocracy]

1. Excellent! K&R

[gopiscrap]

2. Yes, social media also helped

change the conversation lof he teachers strike in Tacoma...if it weren't for social media the teachers would probably still be on strike!

[Arugula Latte]

12. I'm hoping social media will be able to counter rightwing hate radio

and then maybe even overcome it and crush it.

[iemitsu]

17. or all be fired and replaced with

americorp volunteers.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

3. And I helped fuel that fury on FB and Twitter I'm proud to say

Perhaps the F*x commentator who apologized for her "confused ladybrains" and lumped all other women in with her in regards to that particular personal disorder should educate her little "confused ladybrains" about computers, the internet, and social media. So should SGKF.

If she bothered, she might actually learn something: that "confused ladybrains" have not a damn thing to do with this issue. Quite the contrary. There was nothing confusing at all about what Komen did, why they did it, or the huge public outcry on social media in reaction to it. Just because Sandy Rios at F*x is a blazing dingbat doesn't mean all women are.

RE: http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201202030012

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Wow.

$3,000,000 in just days.

Wow. Just wow. And so happy to see this! Made my Friday!! Congrats to PP and IMHO, anything from SJK at this point is blood money, so don't do it.

[tanyev]

8. And we haven't even had the DU fund drive yet!

[randome]

11. Money that may save lives, don't forget.

Planned Parenthood should never turn down donations, even when it's from a trashy outfit like Komen.

[Arugula Latte]

5. We don't have the radio waves, but we have The Tubes of The Internets

[dballance]

6. It Just Ain't the Same Old Game Anymore

It is really funny that Koman made such a huge blunder. They obviously underestimated the opinion and power of just regular people.

Corporations really need to understand that us little people have a voice now. I know you're trying to silence it by censoring Facebook and Twitter. But we will find outlets to expose you even if you cut them off.

And if you're paying your CEO almost half a million dollars you're not really someone of the people. That is not a non-profit. When I volunteered for a non-profit we all did it for free and in addition to our day jobs.

Nobody offered me half a million dollars to go to DC and kiss a Bush's ass to get ahead.

I don't think you can pull that hair any tighter Brinker. Just pull out your whip and riding crop and complete the characture you have become. Only the reich wing zombies will be donating to you now.

Have a nice day.

[kestrel91316]

7. I happily contributed to a great deal of that ruckus, lol.

[louslobbs]

9. As did I Kestrel, and this is the real power of the people in action when we all

stand together and fight together.....it really does scare the powers that be.
Lou

[Lifelong Protester]

10. Yep, me, I couldn't get on the computer fast enough

Same with helping crash several repub websites, just by emailing.
Social media fueled Wisconsin's protests, and I cannot believe any group or politician would not understand the power of the voice of the people.

[Sherman A1]

13. Indeed, because hubris is such a good idea in these days of instant communication.

Not only did they make a bad decision, but they did so in a world far, far different than one just 12 months ago without any idea that the world had changed because they simply did not understand what was broadcast to them daily through the media.

Straight from the experiences of BOA & Netflix. In the end they have damaged their brand and their highly paid "expert" employee simply looks silly.

[DesertFlower]

14. "i am woman - hear me roar".

[EFerrari]

15. Great job!

[tavalon]

16. Republicans are dumb

They don't understand the power of the internet. 5 years or 10 years ago, there wasn't so much power here but today, you just don't do things without knowing they will be spread far, wide and fast. And yet, over and over and over, Republicans make the same mistake. I think it may be something about teaching the old dogs new tricks. Could it be the Republicanism and all of it's ick might just die the death of old age. Something to ponder.

Meanwhile, mock on. They deserve it.