Every once and while an interesting new video will start circulating group chats and social media because of its timeless relevance. The other day I received a viral video from 2009 from a band called “Sons of Maxwell” and Canadian front man Dave Carrol. Name of the song: “United Breaks Guitars”.
Could you imagine? One the biggest airline companies in the world, American United Airlines, damaged a customized guitar worth US$ 3,500, which belonged to one of the members of the band.
Airport where the Guitar was damaged: Chicago O’Hare.
And here begins the story behind the song… after complaining to multiple United employees and departments for almost 9 months without any success… Dave Carrol had enough of the whole situation and decide to write the aforementioned song “United Breaks Guitars”.
The song was launched on Youtube and Itunes in January of 2009. Resulting in more than 150,000 views on its first day; 5 million by the middle of August; 15 million by 2011… and today it has amassed a total around of 20 million views.
In December of 2009, Time Magazine ranked the song as the seventh most viral of the year.
Four weeks after the release on the internet United stocks dropped 10%, representing a loss of almost US$180 million of company value.
Check it out:
Luis Santos
LAECAM Co-Founder