Yesterday, ESPN commentator Ric Bucher tweeted about how new ESPN guidelines were coming down, prohibiting tweeting unless it serves ESPN.
An uproar ensued, and several critical posts slammed ESPN for trying to rule the open social world with an authoritarian grip. Rightfully so, as if this were true, it would be a major problem and counterintuitive to the spirit of social media.
So take a look at how ESPN responded.
First of all, they only let a few hours pass before responding quickly and publicly to the Bucher tweet. Secondly, they chose a very smart medium to respond: Twitter. Lastly, the response was to the point and clarified the original controversy, and opened up the memo and policy for all to see.
Rather than add fuel to the fire by publicly condemning Bucher or refuting what he was saying, and rather than looking like confused dinosaurs, their short-and-sweet tweet was just the medicine that was needed.
When controversy arises, don’t be afraid to state your case, simply and calmly, with transparency and on the playing field in question.
