Additional Coverage:
- From kiss cams to hat snatching, CEOs keep going viral for the wrong reasons (businessinsider.com)
CEOs in the Spotlight: From Kiss Cams to Hat Hijinks, Public Behavior Goes Viral
A Polish CEO’s unfortunate encounter at the US Open has sparked an online frenzy, reminding executives that in the age of smartphones and social media, even seemingly private moments can quickly become public fodder.
Piotr Szczerek, head of Polish paving firm Drogbruk, was caught on camera taking a hat seemingly intended for a young fan from tennis star Kamil Majchrzak. The video rapidly spread across social media, garnering millions of views and triggering widespread criticism.
Szczerek later issued a statement on his company’s Instagram account, explaining that he mistakenly believed the hat was meant for him and expressing remorse for his actions. He confirmed that the hat had been returned and apologies made to the family.
This incident follows another public relations headache for a CEO earlier this year. Astronomer CEO Andy Byron resigned after a video of him with a colleague on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert went viral.
These incidents underscore the shrinking boundaries of privacy for public figures, particularly in the age of ubiquitous cameras. Public relations experts advise executives to exercise caution in any public setting, recognizing that even seemingly innocuous actions can be misinterpreted and amplified online. As Mike Fahey of Fahey Communications puts it, “If you’re in public, you can expect you’re being recorded.”
Ryan McCormick of Goldman McCormick PR offers simple advice to his clients: “Don’t be a jerk.” In the case of the hat incident, he notes, a small act of kindness could have transformed the narrative entirely.
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- From kiss cams to hat snatching, CEOs keep going viral for the wrong reasons (businessinsider.com)