How YouTube Made United Airlines Beg for Forgiveness

Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by in Web

If you have not yet heard this story, you must read the first post “The Power of Social Media; United Breaks Guitars“. Long story short, a country singer from Canada had his $3,500 guitar smashed to bits by the staff of United Airlines. He pleaded with them to compensate him, only to be met with a full year of bureaucratic processes, which all led to a big fat “NO”. At this point, he threatened them that he would produce 3 YouTube videos that will tell the story and distribute them using social media. They of course laughed at this threat.

united-breaks-guitars

He made the first one and it brought 5 million views by the time I am writing this post. United contacted him and told him they took the lesson to heart and offered much more money in compensation then was originally discussed. Dave told them he was going to keep his promise and produce the three videos. Below is the second one in the series. It is at 33,000 views and counting.

-Hillel

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7 Responses to “How YouTube Made United Airlines Beg for Forgiveness”

  1. Reuven

    19. Aug, 2009

    Great job! I just can’t stand corporate greed and arrogance.

  2. miry

    19. Aug, 2009

    I think it also helps that Dave is pretty freaking adorable.

  3. hilzfuld

    19. Aug, 2009

    Reuven and Miri, thanks for your comments. This is definitely one of the cooler social media stories I have ever heard.

  4. Patti

    19. Aug, 2009

    And this incident has resulted in a bunch of “Southwest takes good care of guitars” videos. See, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1SMcaVekVE, for an example.

  5. hilzfuld

    19. Aug, 2009

    That is really funny Patti, thanks for sharing… Hope you enjoy the blog, come back for more… :)

  6. Greg Linnemanstons

    19. Aug, 2009

    Love the story! If corporate America doesn’t start getting it, they’re just not paying attention. F**k with people at your own risk!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. The Man Who Made $30 Million from a YouTube Video | Tech N' Marketing - December 20, 2009

    [...] this is no joke! If United Breaks Guitars and Susan Boyle have not demonstrated this point enough, today’s events prove once again that [...]

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