The Top 10 Most Epic Social Media Fails of All Time
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. With over 4 billion active users worldwide, social media platforms have provided a golden opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand, connect with customers, and build a loyal customer base. However, social media has also been a source of epic fails for some companies, with their tweets, posts, and ads going viral for all the wrong reasons. Here are the top 10 most epic social media fails of all time.
1. Pepsi’s “Live for Now” Ad with Kendall Jenner
In 2017, Pepsi launched an ad featuring Kendall Jenner offering a can of Pepsi to a police officer during a protest, which many viewed as a tone-deaf attempt to profit off of social and political unrest. The backlash was swift and severe, with the ad being pulled within 24 hours, and the soda giant issuing an apology.
2. American Apparel’s 4th of July Ad
In 2014, American Apparel released an ad featuring a model with her legs apart, strategically placed against a backdrop of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. The ad was criticized for its sexual objectification of women and was pulled within hours of being released.
3. McDonald’s #McDStories Campaign
In 2012, McDonald’s launched the #McDStories hashtag with the intention of promoting their brand and encouraging customers to share their positive experiences with the fast-food chain. However, the campaign backfired, with customers sharing their horror stories about McDonald’s food and service.
4. DiGiorno’s Tweet During the #WhyIStayed Campaign
In 2014, DiGiorno tweeted “#WhyIStayed You had pizza” during the #WhyIStayed campaign, which was aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence. The tweet was deemed insensitive and caused a Twitter storm, with DiGiorno issuing an apology.
5. American Airlines’ Failed Attempt at Being Funny
In 2014, American Airlines tweeted a picture of a plane with a woman and her luggage, along with the caption “Looks like we’ve got a few extra passengers on our flight today.” The tweet was deemed inappropriate and insensitive, given the issue of airline safety and security.
6. JPMorgan’s #AskJPM Twitter Q&A Session
In 2013, JPMorgan launched a Twitter Q&A session using the hashtag #AskJPM, but it backfired when customers and the general public used the opportunity to ask critical questions about the bank’s ethical practices and accountability.
7. KitchenAid’s Insensitive Tweet During the Presidential Debate
In 2012, KitchenAid tweeted a joke about President Obama’s grandmother during the presidential debate. The tweet was deemed insensitive, and KitchenAid issued an apology.
8. United Airlines’ Bumpy Customer Service
In 2017, United Airlines was embroiled in controversy when a passenger was physically dragged off a flight due to overselling. The incident was caught on video and went viral, causing a public relations nightmare for the airline.
9. Susan Boyle’s Album Release Tweet
In 2013, Susan Boyle’s PR team tweeted a link to the singer’s new album with the unfortunate hashtag #susanalbumparty. The tweet went viral, but not quite in the way intended.
10. Bloomingdale’s Holiday Ad
In 2015, Bloomingdale’s holiday ad featured a woman with a suggestive expression and wearing a dress with the words “Spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking.” The ad was criticized for promoting date rape culture.
Conclusion
These social media fails demonstrate the importance of responsibility, sensitivity, and understanding when representing your brand on social media. A high-profile error or misstep can quickly go viral, causing damage to your company’s reputation, and undoing any progress you have made. Be sure to take extra caution when crafting social media messages, and always think twice before hitting send.
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