Opinion

Someone pointed me to this post the other day on YouTube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=02krhNFfEq4

Someone pointed me to this post the other day on YouTube:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=02krhNFfEq4

The piece is a rant against Pfizer from an obviously disgruntled and quite possibly laid off ex-employee from its Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA plant. Apparently this person was using his/her severence package time to create poorly-produced videos and silly songs and posting them on YouTube, complete with personal attacks on several executives.

Its tone reminded me of the negative, self-absorbed, potty-mouthed sales rep rants that can often be found over at CafePharma.com. I'd recommend you go over and check out that site -- but, well, I DON'T recommend it because it, too, is a bunch of anonymous rants from angry sales reps that is likely only about 20% true.

Both the YouTube video and CafePharma.com are examples of how social media has the power - whether positive or negative - to bring attention to your company and your brand.

I often point out that social media is the power of word of mouth on steroids, and its true. With more and more pharmaceutical companies announcing layoffs daily, unfortunately these are the types of rants we'll likely be seeing more and more of in the industry.