DHL apologises for using Jules Bianchi crash to get “likes” on Facebook
DHL has apologised for a Facebook post which used the life threatening crash of F1 driver Jules Bianchi to ask for “likes”.
Many fans of DHL on Facebook were outraged by the post which said “by clicking ‘Like’ on this occasion, you’ll be sending Jules your best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
French driver Bianchi needed emergency surgery on a serious head injury sustained following a collision with a recovery vehicle.
According to a spokesperson from the FIA, Formula One's governing body, Bianchi is in a "critical but stable" condition.
Wow RT @TheMediaTweets: DHL spots an opportunity to get more 'Likes' on Facebook… pic.twitter.com/fTKnkxhiOC
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) October 6, 2014
DHL's post was swiftly deleted, but before the company picked up plenty of flak. Scott Brown wrote: "Are you kidding me? Using a tragic accident to try and increase the number of likes on your page?! For shame DHL", while Jakub Kot wrote: "This is what I hate. Click like? The most disrespectful thing ever!"
The German logistics company later posted an apology to their Facebook feed, claiming the original post was intended as nothing more than a “gesture of a support”.
Here is DHL’s apology in full:
Based on feedback we've received about a post on Sunday regarding Jules Bianchi, we have removed the post and would wish to apologise for any offence caused. To clarify the matter, we were not asking people to like our page, only the photo, and it was never our aim to promote the site or DHL but was meant simply as a gesture of support for Jules Bianchi, based on our longstanding involvement in the F1 world. Taken out of context, we accept that it could be interpreted as inappropriate or cynical, but this was definitely not the intention of our social media team.