A video appears to show Piotr Szczerek, head of the Polish paving firm Drogbruk, snatching a cap that tennis player Kamil Majchrzak seemed to be handing to a young fan. The clip drew millions of views and rapid public criticism. Szczerek issued a statement saying he was convinced the hat had been passed toward him and that he had made a huge mistake. He apologized, acknowledged hurting the boy and disappointing fans, and turned off comments citing concern for his family. Independent verification of his identity was not available. Public relations experts advise greater caution in public as privacy expectations decline. The cap has been handed over to the boy.
Executives are learning that what happens in the crowd doesn't stay in the crowd when cameras are everywhere. Whether it's a Jumbotron at a concert or a television broadcast at Flushing Meadows, internet sleuths are quick to discover the identities of business leaders behaving badly. Overnight, relatively private people can be vaulted from obscurity to viral infamy.
A video from Thursday appears to show Piotr Szczerek, head of the Polish paving firm Drogbruk, snatching a hat that tennis star Majchrzak was seemingly handing to a young fan. Unaware, Majchrzak continued signing autographs, but the camera stayed on a visibly delighted Szczerek and the boy.
"I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child," he wrote. "This wasn't my intention, but it doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans."
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