One brief postscript here to the AT&T story that brings to mind an adage that Tanner Friedman clients have heard from us before – “If you don’t speak for yourself, others will speak for you.”
That’s what happened here. Because AT&T did not provide detail to customers about what happened, journalists were forced to turn to other sources. This blog, in fact, became an attributable source in a PC World online story, because the writer was looking for more information to inform customers hungry for facts.
Another lesson learned for corporate communicators – unless you want a “blogger” speaking for your company – take the steps necessary to tell your own story.