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HBO has faced criticism after leaked texts revealed a plan by HBO executives to create fake online accounts to harass TV critics who gave negative reviews to HBO shows. The CEO of HBO and Max, Casey Bloys, addressed the situation and apologized for the behavior. Bloys expressed his passion for creating great shows and wanting people to love them. He admitted to a “dumb idea” of venting his frustration through burner accounts on social media and apologized to those named in the leaked texts. Despite the apology, the incident has caused backlash and raised questions about ethics in the entertainment industry.

HBO’s creation of fake accounts to harass TV critics:

• HBO executives planned to create a secret army of fake online accounts to defend their shows and troll TV critics.
• Leaked texts exposed the strategy, leading to backlash and criticism towards HBO.
• Criticism raised questions about the ethics of such behavior in the entertainment industry.

HBO and Max CEO’s apology:

• Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO and Max, apologized for the creation of fake accounts and addressed the situation.
• Bloys admitted to coming up with the idea while working from home and spending excessive time on social media.
• He expressed his passion for creating great shows and wanting people to love them but acknowledged his mistake and apologized to those affected.

Importance of audience opinions:

• Bloys emphasized the significance of audience opinions and stated that their perception of the shows is essential to him.
• The incident highlighted the power of social media in shaping public perception and the impact of online criticism.

Backlash and consequences:

• The leaked texts caused backlash against HBO and Max, with many criticizing the unethical behavior of creating fake accounts.
• The incident has raised questions about the credibility of online reviews and the honesty of audience reactions.
• It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the reputation and future decisions of HBO and Max.

Progress in communication methods:

• Bloys mentioned his progress in using direct messages (DMs) for communication, indicating a shift away from public tweets.
• This may suggest a recognition of the need for privacy and more thoughtful communication strategies in addressing criticism.

Transparency and accountability:

• The incident has sparked discussions about the need for greater transparency and accountability in the entertainment industry.
• Questions have been raised about whether similar practices are prevalent in other companies or if this was an isolated incident.
• There is a growing demand for transparency in the decision-making process and a call for ethical behavior from industry leaders.