Uber is doing everything to help its image after #DeleteUber blew up in its face, but its poorly executed efforts have only added more fuel to the fire.
The company came under scrutiny this weekend after suspending surge pricing at the Kennedy National Airport in New York during a taxi boycott against President Trump’s immigration ban. Many saw this as a way to undermine the taxi companies, and reduce the impact of the protest.
But the company’s latest blunder leads us to believe it is simply too shortsighted to see past the goal of maximizing profit, and unable to understand the dynamics of social media and the importance of retaining a clean brand name. That sentiment also follows the company’s unflinching plans to eventually replace drivers with autonomous vehicles.
Uber’s latest gaffe feeds off its previous—it now appears the company is using Facebook’s interest-targeting tool to feed its ads to folks who are interested in the American Civil Liberties Union.
You guys really are pathetic @Uber pic.twitter.com/mxXU1LO8cu
— Eric Beard (@BeardEric) January 30, 2017
Uber also promoted it on Twitter with the tagline, “Standing up for what’s right.”
.@Uber just promoted this tweet. Nice try but there are already plenty of reasons to #DeleteUber. Scabbing for Trump is just the latest. pic.twitter.com/dZyLt1KLkr
— JT (@thetizzo) January 30, 2017
No, Uber, it was not a good idea to promote an ad asking you to download your app because you fight for a cause many believe you recently undermined.
Despite its many controversies, the most successful ride-hailing company in the world doesn’t seem to be slowing down. You can add Uber as another example why “there is no such thing as bad publicity” is the most relevant adage of our time.