Tweeting the BP Oil Crisis

It’s probably no big surprise that the “real” BP account, @BP_America, had a measly follower count of just 6,700 late this week (as of this writing, it’s topped 8,000), while @BPGlobalPR’s followers numbered more than 84,000– after all, how can an oil company really establish an authentic social media conversation when it can’t even use traditional media to convey an honest portrayal of itself?

@BPGlobalPR, on the other hand, has spent the past week calling BP out for its negligence that precipitated the oil spill and its relative ineptness at getting the spill under control.

A few choice tweets:

Proud to announce that BP will be sponsoring the New Orleans Blues Festival this summer w/ special tribute to Muddy Waters. #bpcares

What a gorgeous day! The ocean is filled with the most beautiful rainbows! #yourewelcome #bpcares

Just woke up from a terrible nightmare. I was driving a Prius and I kissed my wife on the lips. #bpcares

We plan on spending millions of dollars to fix this mess. We also plan on jacking gas prices so high that you’ll wish you never complained.

Lots of people blaming this on Bush or Obama. Pph, we wish. The truth is Presidents don’t have any control over what we do. #bpcares

This horrible spill wouldn’t be happening in the gulf of AMERICA! Arizona knows what I’m talking ’bout!! #fistpound #bpcares

Please text “Wildlife” to 20222 to donate hot dogs to the BP Corporate Memorial Day Picnic #bpcares #3dayweekend

Community Connection:

Want to know what you can do to help the Gulf? Read Nancy Harder’s article about donating your hair to absorb the spilled oil–yes, really.