Final Words in 23+ Podcasts?

This post is an update to the Southwest/Kevin Smith blog posted Monday evening. Again, I'd like to reiterate, that I'm not reporting on the policy - just the way both parties are utilizing social media to plea their case.


The Twar Storm moves into podcast mode (SMODcast.com)



Mr. Smith has certainly been leaning on his Twitter account and followers to get his story out - but piece mail in 24 parts? (That link takes you to the complete listing.) How about a clearly written blog with accompanying chronological timeline to tell the story, in ONE link? This isn't the best way to get out a succinct message - no matter how funny and charming you can be. Twitter responses included comments like, "dude, you're repeating yourself", and "you do see the irony in final word/part 23?" This illustrates that followers don't necessarily change their own minds just because they happen to like someone's tweets. Many folks are following for the same reason I am...it's a news story now. I personally follow a lot of people that I don't agree with, but like the comedy in their tweets, it's fodder for my night job as a comedian and improviser.



So what's Southwest been up to while Kevin has been laying down all of these casts? Going for a "we're moving on" approach it seems on their site. The blog has been bumped down by yesterday's blog pimping flights from Philly to Boston, and the total comments still attached to the Kevin Smith blog is only around 1533.


Southwest isn't the first airline to have issues with a policy like this (most have one - however have not as yet enforced the policy on a social media savvy celebrity). Here's what they say in a Q&A regarding the policy.

Unfortunately a lot of people have taken to the web to say hurtful things about people who wrestle with weight problems which is uncool, but this is providing a strong enough voice for Southwest to stand by their policy, since the comfort of the most customers as possible is a goal, and they receive a lot of complaints from passengers made uncomfortable my customers of size.


Weight and health have always been polarizing topics, so far the online activity has only held up a mirror to it.


I'll keep you updated. In the meantime - let me know - what posts have you come across regarding this story that surprised you?

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Michelle