Chapter 25
Mike rubbed the back of his neck. His task list was longer than usual today, thanks to the major event coming up for the company. Many of their influencers were in town, put up at a hotel until they all left for a weekend of camping, sporting, and floating on the Meramec River. There was lots of publicity planned for the event, including a social media blitz and multiple YouTube live streams.
Over the past few days, he’d worked extremely close with all of the influencers, making sure that they checked into their hotel rooms okay, they were promoting the event, and that they had all of the Marin’s gear they needed before departing to the Meramec. After sending a message to Sporting Goods, asking them to deliver a smaller hunting bow to one of the influencers, Mike opened Twitter for another look at Johnny’s profile. For his own peace of mind, he’d been reviewing the outdoorsman’s feed three times a day. His earlier check didn’t find any problems. This time, he wasn’t as lucky.
An hour and a half ago, Johnny had posted a tweet disparaging the US military and what it took to become a member of the armed forces. It was his worst yet. The tweet was particularly egregious as the owner of the company he promoted—as well as a big portion of the company’s fanbase—was former military. The replies were filled with people furiously denouncing his statement, asking if he’d ever done anything more than put on fancy camo outfits to play solider in his backyard.
There would be no backtracking on this. Screenshots were being shared fast and wide. And the Marin’s Outdoors account was repeatedly tagged in tweets all with a variation ofThis is who you use to promote your products?Johnny had to go.
His shoulders tight, Mike picked up his office phone and dialed Johnny’s number. The fact that he knew the number by memory was an unpleasant testament to how often he had to call the popular influencer. The call connected and Johnny immediately started talking.
“Zielinski, I know why you’re calling. My tweet was a little problematic.”
“A little? Johnny, you disrespected everyone who has ever put on a US military uniform.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I only meant that the new crop of soft soldiers we’re getting makes us look weak.”
Mike clenched his hand tight on the phone in anger, but he kept his voice calm. “There is nothing weak about any of the people willing to risk life and limb for their country. Your tweet is nothing but ignorance and bigotry.”
“Fine. If you feel that strongly about it, I can delete the tweet.”
“Unfortunately, Johnny, the time for tweet and delete has passed. Marin’s Outdoors is releasing you from your contract.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Johnny. Your contract with Marin’s Outdoors has a good reputation clause that you have violated again and again. As a result of your actions, we can no longer afford to have our name associated with yours. Effective immediately, your contract as an influencer for Marin’s is terminated. Human Resources will contact you with further information.”
After a pregnant beat of silence, Johnny screamed a barrage of curses into the phone. Listening to that abuse wasn’t in Mike’s job description so he hung up.
Aggravated, Mike rocked back in his chair. With Johnny’s release, he’d added several tasks to his list. His first step was to put in a call to HR informing them of the end to Johnny’s sponsorship deal with Marin’s. Then he contacted everyone involved with planning the event, letting them know that Johnny was out. Schedules would have to be moved around to accommodate his absence. He was sorry to put extra work in his co-worker’s laps when they were all extremely busy but it couldn’t be helped. And last, he drafted an official statement explaining that Johnny was no longer affiliated with Marin’s Outdoors, and shared it across their social media platforms.
An hour after Mike sent out the memos and social media posts, Jaime Marin showed up to his office.
Mike set his pen down on the desktop. “I take it you heard about Johnny.”
“I did,” Marin said with a nod. He closed the door and took a seat in front Mike’s desk. “I came by to tell you that you did the right thing.”
“It was past time to release him. I gave him more chances than I should have because of his popularity.”
“The decision to keep him on for as long as you did was understandable. But we’ll find someone else who can bring eyes to our product without the negative baggage trailing along behind him.”
“True. I’ve got—.”
“I want to see Zielinskiright now!”
Mike paused at the loud voice angrily demanded to see him. A second later, the door burst open and Johnny stormed into the office, Leo frantically trailing behind him.
“Mr. Zielinski, Mr. Marin, I tried to stop him!”
“It’s okay, Leo,” Mike reassured his assistant.
Johnny shouted over him.
“You can’t release me over a tweet!”
Both Mike and Marin stood.
“The decision is final,” Mike said firmly. “Barging in here and throwing a temper tantrum isn’t going to change my mind.”