Oh Nestle!

So in the Public Relations subjects of my course, we're looking at brand strategies and the ways in which companies are attempting to interact via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

A recent focus has been on Nestle and their recent foray into Facebook with a fan page, which anybody can join and of course comment on. Unfortunately for Nestle, there are quite a few people who have issues with their business practices (namely cutting down rainforests in Indonesia for palm oil (used in Kit Kats), thus destroying natural habitats for endangered species such as the orangutan):

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/289481

Nestle's response can be found here:

http://www.nestle.com/MediaCenter/SpeechesAndStatements/AllSpeechesAndStatements/statement_Palm_oil.htm

And of course this has resulted in some less than desirable comments on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com//#!/pages/Nestle/24287259392

And on their photos on their Facebook page...

http://www.facebook.com//#!/photo.php?pid=1175186&id=24287259392&fbid=59312519392
(note the tags and comments)

So pretty much what was intended as a hip and trendy demonstration of Nestle's ability to be relevant and down with the younger generation, has backfired into Nestle setting up their own cyber punching bag, through which they are being mercilessly pummelled. They can't cut all the comments, nor have they been able to attract supporters.

...well I thought it was kinda interesting.