The toy industry really may really begin to suffer if things keep going as they have been recently. . . News surfaced on Wednesday with reports that the children's toy Bindeez (beads that sick together when sprayed with water) produced by Moose Enterprises, caused children to become seriously ill after swallowing them. The beads were found to contain a chemical that when metabolized, the body turns into gamma-hydroxy butyrate or GHB- a popular date rape drug. British stores immediately removed it from the shelves and the US has ordered a recall.The Melbourne based manufacturing company issued a press release addressing the matter, albeit a little delayed, but what is troubling is that they did little to make up for, or even apologize for the incident. There have been no press conferences held or even statements given by the CEO, no attempts at saving their public image at all.
Even if Moose were to come up with the best explanation and apology for the situation, it is far too late to save their image. Public opinion is usually formed within the first 24 hours of a crisis and promptness matters more than anything else when dealing with damage control. The damage has been done and by thinking that they were invisible, this company may have effectively dug its own grave. Above all, if ever there were an example of what not to do in the event of a disaster, one need look no further than Moose Enterprises and their toxic bead fiasco.
