A Lesson in Mismanaged Public Relations
Liong Mah is a knife manufacturer who has been in the business for 20 years. He is known for his unique and intricate designs. In early 2020, Mah refused to pay a YouTuber for a review of his products. This decision caused a lot of controversy, as many people felt that it was unethical for Mah to not pay for a review.
Mah’s decision to not pay for reviews was based on his belief that it would be dishonest to his customers. He felt that if he paid a YouTuber for a review, the YouTuber would be more likely to say positive things about the product, even if they didn’t honestly believe it was a good product.
While Mah’s decision to not pay for reviews was understandable, his handling of the situation was not. Instead of simply stating that he didn’t believe in paying for reviews, Mah lashed out at the YouTuber, accusing him of being dishonest. This did not sit well with the knife community, many of whom saw Mah’s comments as disrespectful and unprofessional.
The backlash against Mah was swift and severe. Many YouTubers and knife enthusiasts turned against him, vowing to boycott his products. Mah’s reputation took a significant hit.
The Liong Mah controversy is a cautionary tale about the dangers of mismanaged public relations. It’s a reminder that in the world of business, how you say something can be just as important as what you say. And when it comes to dealing with criticism or controversy, the best approach is often to respond with grace, humility, and respect.
