Social Media Blunders

Over half way through the year and we've had plenty of opportunities to add to the long list of 'how not to do social' and have been in genuine disbelief that some people are still getting it so wrong. Here are our favourites so far.

Social media is growing in importance as a marketing tool, and it has enabled many large and small businesses to reach out to their target consumers more effectively. However, not every business has been able to make social media work for them.

Happy Halloween, everybody. Today marks the culmination of a season filled with grim tales, gory costumes, and the word "hobgoblin." But if you work in social media, then ghosts, vampires, and werewolves wearing varsity jackets don't give you nightmares - the thought of your brand saying the wrong thing does.

The horsemeat scandal has been one of the biggest stories to hit the UK this year, and grocery giant Tesco was knees-deep in it. Food investigators found that horsemeat accounted for almost a third of its Everyday Value burgers, though to its credit Tesco did immediately take action to remove the products from its shelves.

Social media campaigns are a risky undertaking for financial institutions, with many netizens eager to seize on any opportunity to mock them. JPMorgan Chase's canceled Q&A Twitter session served as the latest reminder that social media campaigns can easily blow up in bankers' faces.

While we know a bit more about marketing than we do about fashion, we do know enough about which faux pas to avoid. For example, I'm fairly certain that under no circumstance is it acceptable to leave your house wearing socks and sandals.