Let’s Play the Blame Game

I’m going to preface this blog by admitting that I thought the Super Bowl commercial from Groupon was funny. With that being said, the fallout and backlash stemming from the ad is concerning at the very least. 

But the largest inconsistencies with the stories I’ve read have dealt with whether or not Groupon “fired” CP&B or their contract ended. CP&B CEO Andrew Keller had nothing bad to say about Groupon, instead having flattering words for the company and saying they were hired on a project basis. 

But Groupon CEO Andrew Mason painted a slightly different story with his remarks, basically saying they let the company go because of the bad publicity the ads had brought the company. So whose story is truthful?

And what’s with Mason saying the company had a lapse in judgment letting CP&B control the Groupon brand image?

Whose idea was it to give the agency the reins? That’s like giving someone permission to take your four-wheeler off-roading and complaining when they bring it back muddy and out of gas. Take responsibility for your actions. 

I’m pretty certain they didn’t go rogue and scheme to ruin Groupon’s image. The marketing agency is notorious for off-the-wall campaigns like the “Whopper Virgins” campaign, which also got the agency in trouble (and which I also liked – I’m starting to see a trend here!).

With controversy brings publicity. Whether it’s good or bad publicity, it brings a company loads of free advertising. As long as it’s nothing too terrible, companies seem to take it with a grain of salt so long as it drives sales, which it ultimately has for Groupon. The ads didn’t work, but the free publicity certainly has helped the company. I feel like ol’ CEO Mason knew exactly what he signed up for and simply didn’t stand up to the critics like he should have, instead forcing the blame on someone else – as young people often do. 

And yes, I’m only 23, but 30 is young in the world of CEOs.

Perhaps it’s inexperience on Mason’s part. Maybe CP&B took it too far? I guess without a look behind the scenes, it’s in the eye of the beholder. But one thing is for sure, the publicity worked and Groupon seems to have a plan for the future, as evidenced by the company’s rejection of $6 billion buyout offer from Google last December.