Web.com Debuts Commercial on Cable, Satellite TV Screens

Did you happen to catch the TV commercial for web.com? I did today. At first I thought edgy I’ll never forget their name BUT then I became outraged by insensitivity to homeless. Is Web.com so out of touch they have no concern or clue as to sad fact how many homeless there are in our country? It’s simply not funny to poke fun at those less fortunate. This is a true sign of the decaying values in corporate America and lack of social consciousness.

So outraged I had to call web.com and voice my concerns of the lack of brand understanding and insensitivity. I spoke to Peter Delgrosso, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, and I was not surprised to hear to him say he had several calls regarding the commercial both good and bad ones. Using the tactic of humor is a good call to changing the name from Interland to Web.com but subject matter like homeless people is should not be made fun of and this is a huge mistake public relations error. Think about it for a second would you want your company remembered for laughing at the homeless? Corporations forgot there are ethics and social responsibilities to building business.

This all brings to back memories of being in an undergraduate at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. It was the early 80’s, Reagan years, there were many homeless people living on the streets because it was decided that state hospitals did not have to support them. I remember one young naïve classmate saying, “Homeless people want to live on the streets it's their choice.” It saddens me to see this ignorant sentiment prevails in today's adulthood .

To quote a close journalist friend, “There’s a growing divide between the rich and poor that I find deeply troubling.”

I am curious how many new customers will subscribe to do business with a company that blatantly laughs at homeless people.

Additional resources:
Why Are People Homeless?

A Dream Denied: Criminalization of the Homeless in U.S. Cities

Bush Budget Leave No Millionaire Behind as He Propose Massive Cuts to Programs for Homeless and Low-Income People

Stevedoring, Security, Secrecy - Opinion About Dubai Ports World

My opinion paper, “Stevedoring, Security, and Secrecy” will dispel myths regarding United Arab Emirates. Address the issue of selling British owned P&O to Dubai Ports World the impact that decision will have on foreign direct investment for the United States. A brief history of U.S. port outsourcing is addressed. It will discuss feelings of xenophobia among U.S. citizens toward people of Arab nationality. It will provide U.S. lawmaker’s framework for requesting the 45 day review from the Committee for Foreign Investment.

This discussion will address questions regarding the Bush administration’s leadership abilities and reasons for wanting the arrangement with DP World. “Stevedoring, Security and Secrecy” will also cover ethical issues with the sale to DP World and communication issues that arose from the transaction. And provide insight to a possible resolution to the problem faced by DP World.

I wrote this paper for Regis University International Business presented to Dr. Bernie Kelleher.

click here for access to "Stevedoring,, Security, and Secrecy" 16 pages.