If it feels like we’ve said this over and over, it’s because we have.  Think before you Tweet!

While we could cite many examples of personalities and even brands like Boners BBQ that have landed in the social media hot seat, the latest is CNN personality Roland Martin.

Martin has been suspended by CNN for his controversial Tweets during the Super Bowl.  You can read more about it here, thanks to the Huffington Post.

Here’s a statement by CNN, which we found on Erik Wemple’s Washington Post blog.

“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”

For brands and talent, there are a few obvious reminders here:

  • Social media is not private, it’s public.  Anything you Tweet, post, blog, text or email can come back to haunt you in the court of public and professional opinion.
  • While media personalities have personal profiles, lives and opinions – and they’re entitled to each – being in the media brings different expectations, responsibilities, and pressure.  Whether Tweeting, grocery shopping or on the golf course, personalities represent their employers – and the employee’s behavior is subject to the employer’s approval.
  • Whether it’s an athlete, DJ, musician, actor or TV pundit, personalities that have great ratings and legions of fans and followers in social media are vulnerable to drinking their own Kool-Aid and thinking they’re bullet-proof.  They’re not.

Learn a lesson or two from these guys.

  • Gilbert Gottfried lost his Aflac gig over his Tweets about Japan.
  • Ashton Kutcher has over 9 million followers, but that didn’t stop him from being ridiculed over his Joe Paterno gaffe.
  • Mike Bacsik, a former MLB player turned radio host was fired over a controversial Tweet.

The list could go on and on, but trust us – you don’t want to be added to it.  Think before you Tweet.