Blackfish Backlash

[Nicole]

They should have told the same story they tell us on the keeper tours. Did SEAS make mistakes in the past? Yes. Have they radically changed their approach to animal care and training over the past decade? Yes.

Instead of telling stories about conservation and current projects, they need to explain their evolution from bad zoo to exemplary, modern zoo. It is a compelling, and believable story.

I do not know if this is too little/too late. I do believe that they dropped the ball initially, and didn’t approach the attack coherently or strategically. There needs to be a full-on information operations campaign. Not just a few ads and TV clips showing how cute Pinky the Flamingo is.

I have found this whole situation incredibly frustrating, because my conversations with the keepers and my observations of their practices demonstrate to me that they could have combated the rhetoric fairly effectively. They seem to have considered themselves “above the fray” for some reason, and didn’t use the tools that they had. I hope that changes now.

 

[Alf33]

3. Why is the GP dumb? If anyone is lacking intelligence, it's the genius brigade running this company. Their inactivity makes it look like either: A. they were hiding something; or B. they're just woefully ignorant. Take your pick - it doesn't bode well.

I said that because there will be a lot of people who will still believe the lies that the BF documentary presented even when they are proven false by SW's rebuttal with the facts and truths. So if they still don't want to believe the truth when the facts prove their view wrong then they are dumb. There's no stopping that. Now how SW has handled the whole situation is another issue that to me they've dropped the ball on.

 

[Nicole]

Looks as if the media campaign is getting some traction:

SeaWorld has more credibility than PETA

Excerpt:

For 51 years, probably no organization in San Diego has done more to rescue and protect ocean wildlife than SeaWorld ... But SeaWorld has taken a beating at the hands of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which cites some terrible accidents to make a broad argument that SeaWorld systematically and knowingly mistreats its killer whales ... We’re glad to hear SeaWorld is fighting back against PETA with an advertising campaign that provides a more accurate view of how it operates ... What hasn’t gotten enough attention is PETA’s record of dishonesty in targeting institutions that use animals in ways it doesn’t like. Even if SeaWorld had a perfect record of animal stewardship, PETA would want to destroy it. This matters when considering PETA’s extreme claims.

Please note: I have no idea what the editorial spin or credibility of this publication is.  I just wanted to highlight that SEAS seems to be actively marketing their position.

Edit: I looked on Wikipedia, the source of all misinformation and found this about its current editorial slant:
According to current owners, “We make no apologies. We are doing what a newspaper ought to do, which is to take positions. We are very consistent — pro-conservative, pro-business, pro-military — and we are trying to make a newspaper that gets people excited about this city and its future.”

So, I guess the anti-PETA spin is to expected.  Nonetheless, it still appears that SEAS is attempting to promulgate its message.

 

[Mushroom]

Gotta admit, I love this image (from the same publication as the one Nicole linked).

 

[Pat]

Did anyone else see the former trainer, John Hargrove, interviewed on the Daily Show last night? He was promoting his book "Beneath the Surface" and was bashing SeaWorld pretty hard. He was painting a pretty bleak picture, talking about mother-calf separation, how they keep them in even smaller tanks than you see when you visit, and called the SeaWorld truth pages stupid and bull****. He also talked about SeaWorld trying to shut trainers up and never let them voice concerns.

For a time when SeaWorld is trying to push back, an interview on a very popular show with a former 12-year trainer who comes off as very likable, this was another bad moment.

 

[MAZ]

I did not see the interview on Dailey show, but I did read an Internet article that interviewed him about his book. He was quite full of Seaworld bashes during that interview also. Thanks. I'll look up the rerun of the show and have a looksy.

 

[Nicole]

I wonder what his personal agenda is and when he actually worked there.

 

[Mushroom]

That book has been the source of tons of controversy. Supposedly he's a butthurt employee who was fired for doing something wrong, and now with the anti-Seaworld bandwagon growing strong, this gives him the perfect time to grind his ax.

People will do anything for the spotlight.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

So this is a book about bashing Seaworld? What a waste of trees...

 

[Pat]

I want to clarify quickly, I'm not supporting him.  I'm a fan of SeaWorld.  The problem SeaWorld is going to have with him is even if he is a "butthurt employee," he doesn't come off that way.  He came off in the interview, in my view, as likable, caring, and concerned about the animals. To people who aren't following the story his interview comes across as quite damning to SeaWorld.

Also, to address the questions about his time working, he worked for SeaWorld from 1993-2001 and then again from 2008-2012, working at both San Antonio and San Diego locations.

 

[Mushroom]

SeaWorld's got edge!
[tweet=https://twitter.com/SeaWorld/status/581550996016377856]

 

[Zimmy]

I watch the Daily Show... well daily.  I have to say I was miffed that he was on and why was Jon S.  giving him a bully pulpit.  I was thinking those things at first.  Then I had the following conversation with myself.   (just go with it)

Me (in a whiny butt hurt voice) "Why is Jon doing this he is so much smarter then this!"

Self (in a condescending tone) "Zimmy, you ignorant buffoon, you need to ask 'Why did SeaWorld, not send someone to the Daily Show, Colbert, and and every other late night show Gen X and Millenials watch? Also it should have been 'THAN' not 'then' Liberal arts degree my ass"

Me (sad) "My god...  your right, those morons.  They can't do anything right, they have ruined everything..."

Self (annoyed) "shut it...  NO SHUT IT NOW!  You sound like a idiot.  You know damn well the fools don't know the first thing about marketing.  They know rides, animals, and bad... no terrible 'theater'"

(hey its my inner dialog)

me (dejected) "self your right, and I learned something today..."

Self "oh just shut up"

And...  Scene

 

[GeoUSA]

Sadly #askseaworld is not going well.

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/15/03/29/1221256/seaworld-and-others-discover-that-a-hashtag-can-become-a-bashtag

An excerpt:

Alison Griswold writes that in an effort to improve its tanking image, SeaWorld launched a new advertising campaign this week to educate the public about its "leadership in the care of killer whales" and other work to protect whales in captivity and in the wild. As part of that head-on initiative, someone at SeaWorld decided to invite Twitter users to pose their questions to the company directly using the hashtag #AskSeaWorld. That was not a good idea as twitter users bashed Sea World relentlessly. "As easy as it is to make fun of SeaWorld here, the real question is why any company still thinks hosting an open Twitter forum could be good for public relations," writes Griswold. "So maybe SeaWorld's social and PR folks just really have no idea what they're doing. Even so, you'd think they'd have learned from the corporate failures before them."

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

"So maybe SeaWorld's social and PR folks just really have no idea what they're doing. Even so, you'd think they'd have learned from the corporate failures before them."

Seaworld Parks and Entertainment 101; Rule #1:

No one ever learns from past mistakes.

 

[Hawth]

I watch the Daily Show... well daily.  I have to say I was miffed that he was on and why was Jon S.  giving him a bully pulpit.  I was thinking those things at first.  Then I had the following conversation with myself.   (just go with it)

Me (in a whiny butt hurt voice) "Why is Jon doing this he is so much smarter then this!"

Self (in a condescending tone) "Zimmy, you ignorant buffoon, you need to ask 'Why did SeaWorld, not send someone to the Daily Show, Colbert, and and every other late night show Gen X and Millenials watch?  Also it should have been 'THAN' not 'then' Liberal arts degree my ass"

Me (sad) "My god...  your right, those morons.  They can't do anything right, they have ruined everything..."

Self (annoyed) "shut it...  NO SHUT IT NOW!  You sound like a idiot.  You know damn well the fools don't know the first thing about marketing.  They know rides, animals, and bad... no terrible 'theater'"

(hey its my inner dialog)

me (dejected) "self your right, and I learned something today..."

Self "oh just shut up"

And...  Scene

It's interesting that your "Self" corrected you for using "then" instead of "than," but didn't say anything about the two instances of "your" instead of "you're" and "a idiot" instead of "an idiot."

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Now back to the Blackfish discussion.

 

[Mushroom]

In case you haven't been following the #AskSeaworld Twitter campaign, let me sum it up for you: it's a trainwreck. It's just giving the anti-SeaWorld crowd a chance to nail them with hate, but worse yet, SeaWorld seems to be responding in a shockingly strong, almost unprofessional tone.

I won't waste my breath delving into any further detail, because KICentral user "RailRider" summed it up perfectly here.

SeaWorld continues to attack. Whether alleged Trolls who disagree with SeaWorld or anyone else who speaks out against the company. What the park fails to realize is that continuing to attack anyone against them will not entice guests to come through the turnstiles. These actions are disengenious and lead consumers to further distrust and distance themselves from the brand. Obviously they have never heard that honesty is the best policy, so they continue to deny and defend. When they should admit the previous mistakes, implement changes and truthfully represent their animal care practices. The consumer is more informed about SeaWorlds practices than ever before, yet SeaWorld still views the consumer as being dumb and not very informed.

SeaWorld needs to change initiative, and fast.

 

[Party Rocker]

Did anyone else see the former trainer, John Hargrove, interviewed on the Daily Show last night? He was promoting his book "Beneath the Surface" and was bashing SeaWorld pretty hard.  He was painting a pretty bleak picture, talking about mother-calf separation, how they keep them in even smaller tanks than you see when you visit, and called the SeaWorld truth pages stupid and bull****.  He also talked about SeaWorld trying to shut trainers up and never let them voice concerns.

For a time when SeaWorld is trying to push back, an interview on a very popular show with a former 12-year trainer who comes off as very likable, this was another bad moment.

Very disappointed in Jon. I guess money talks.

 

[Party Rocker]

In case you haven't been following the #AskSeaworld Twitter campaign, let me sum it up for you: it's a trainwreck. It's just giving the anti-SeaWorld crowd a chance to nail them with hate, but worse yet, SeaWorld seems to be responding in a shockingly strong, almost unprofessional tone.

It is a train-wreck because they never had large support on Twitter. They should have researched which form of media is best for this campaign. I guess that since Twitter is free, it was the most cost effective form. The unprofessional tone should be expected. Companies are trying to feel more edgy and real. McDonald's took a different approach though.

I don't think these 'public ask questions' campaigns are very successful. McDonald's did a great job producing their videos and info-graphics, but it shows that people don't listen to the companies themselves. Third Parties coming out and spreading a message are much more trusted because they are viewed as not having an agenda. If they are considered whistle-blowers, they are viewed as oppressed and finally free to speak the truth.

SeaWorld's options are running out. In order to sway public opinion is hope someone reputable that isn't related to them helps them by spreading their truth and message on a widespread scale. Maybe have real scientists go to talk shows. Have them try and show that the scientific community supports SeaWorld. Offer some free backstage tours to the most well-known "haters". If you can convert an anti-SeaWorld leader, you are likely to convert their entire following.

 

[Zimmy]

Why is this Jon's fault? He is an entertainer. It is his job to bring on controversial people and let them speak their mind. He has a history of bringing in people who are not popular. Further, SeaWorld at anytime could have gone on the late night circuit.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

My real concern with this campaign isn't exactly that it's not working, or they're not getting as much 'support' that they had expected(that should've been assumed as soon as this campaign idea was created). They're going to experience troubles, obviously, but they're just going to have to get over it. I don't think they should've expected all the questions to be asked in a very polite, supportive manner. Most of the people asking these questions are going to be somewhat bitter/angry people who have watched Blackfish already, and want the other side of the story, some of the questions are going to come off somewhat rudely.

My concern with the campaign, is just how childish and rudely Seaworld is responding to some of the questions that they claim to be trolling, and how people are just being ignored because Seaworld thinks they are trolling, even if they are really not. Here's an article I found that I think sums up this problem pretty well: http://us.rd.yahoo.com.....=yhoof2