I was watching the NBC Today show the other morning and Matt and Meredith were interview John Grisham about his new book. They asked about his Facebook page and the author dissed it.
He said that he never looks at it, he never intends to, and that it was set up and managed by his publisher. He also said that he had not even bothered to look at it.
Wow, a huge no-no in today’s world of interconnectiveness. John Grisham just dissed the site so that any readers who thought they might connect with him there clearly know that they will not. His publisher must be cringing and trying to do damage control right now in the aftermath. The author came over in the interview as sanctimonious, arrogant, and out of touch with today’s media. Clearly I will never be looking at his Facebook site as it will all be bogus done in his name for him without his interaction or blessing.
This is a public relations nightmare based on the draw that Facebook has with a wide variety of age groups and the thirst that people have to connect with other using the Web. The author should have been properly prepped and educated about Facebook and its pivotal importance in the lives of young to middle aged readers. Instead of dissing it, he would have been better served by talking up and encouraging readers to check in. He could have said that he was not doing posts, but that he was fully apprised of the activities and looked forward to reader comments.
Wow, from my viewpoint a huge gaffe. Bet the publisher will make sure that future interviews don’t take this direction.