Jim Horton points to a post on Business 2.0’s blog about the potential crisis facing Kryptonite locks over an Internet posting that claims they can be opened with a Bic biro.
“A crisis like this might mean the company may have to replace millions of bike locks — an expensive exercise. Few firms can afford it. Or, Kryptonite would have to find a low cost way to prevent the opening the lock with a Bic pen and get that solution to the field as soon as possible. Another expensive exercise. The worst thing the firm could do would be to ignore the problem and hope it will go away. It won’t. Kryptonite can be sure people across America are stuffing Bic pens into Kryptonite locks and trying to open them. If even a few succeed, its market share will plummet. It’s an interesting product crisis with many PR implications. I wish I were working on it.”
Kryptonite’s PR response attempted to be as secure as their locks allegedly are. It completely dodges the actual question and instead promotes a new product innovation. Not much use if my bike is secured to some railings by the insecure model.
Meanwhile long-term PR blogger Kevin Dugan is turning to the dark side and moving in-house. He’s joining FRCH Design Worldwide. We wish him every success.
Richard Bailey looks at the rationale behind multiple PR brands as Next Fifteen, the holding company for Text 100 (where I spent many happy years), August.One and Bite Communications has announced it is killing the Joe Public Relations brand.
Murphy's Law 