I meant to say that leadership still likes to avoid bad press for the sake of self preservation. Bad press focused on individualals has consequences even when consumers aren't the primary audience. Think stockholders, potential business partners, boards, etc.
Not sure about that, "any press is good press" isn't a saying for nothing. In this case, investors can clearly see why the protests are happening and would in fact side with the company, not the individuals, because their protests are getting in the way of becoming profitable.
Large subreddit protests are bad press.