Red Lobster ridiculed for lame social media response to reference in Beyoncé's 'Formation'
Red Lobster fumbled a huge opportunity to engage with Beyoncé’s immense fan base after the company’s response to her mentioning the brand in her new song was slammed on social media.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé dropped her surprise new single "Formation," on Saturday and amongst the many quotable lines in the track is: "When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay.”
Needless to say #Formation became a trending topic on Twitter and Red Lobster were gifted a window of opportunity to take advantage of Queen B’s 14 million plus Twitter followers as well as the millions more who would inevitably turn their attention to any brand endorsed by the 34 year-old icon.
Seven hours passed since the release of the track and Red Lobster’s social accounts remained silent, adding to the mounting pressure and expectation that it would respond with a witty nod to the line.
But on the eighth hour the much anticipated tweet arrived: "Cheddar Bey Biscuits" has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
"Cheddar Bey Biscuits" has a nice ring to it, don't you think? #Formation @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/QzgVtYAKNo
— Red Lobster (@redlobster) February 7, 2016
Nope.
Twitter was quick to let Red Lobster know what it thought of its witticisms which turned what could have been a huge opportunity for the company to grow its 228,000 Twitter followers into an embarrassing social media crucifixion.
@redlobster yall had hours and this is what yall come up with? pic.twitter.com/DY2jO6y9Ti
— E. (@ErykahTbh) February 7, 2016
@redlobster *submits application and résumé*
Y'all are in need of a Social Media Manager.
— Hoochie Mama (@TheRealChanee) February 7, 2016
@redlobster how dare you mess up this moment with this weak ass tweet. pic.twitter.com/4rw9fx3lex
— RICKY SPANISH (@CreoleCornbread) February 7, 2016
We were hoping @redlobster wouldn't disappoint us but... pic.twitter.com/C29cvwZpjW
— xoNecole (@xonecole) February 7, 2016
@redlobster you've been gone for hours and this is the best marketing your people can do? somebody is getting FIRED.
— J (@surfbortx) February 7, 2016
@redlobster @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/rbrOR0SbG2
— KP (@karderrius) February 7, 2016
This is about to be Red Lobster's Monday Morning Meeting. @redlobster #Formation pic.twitter.com/5puvyQv1W2
— Jazz (@JazzShoots) February 7, 2016
Following the social media shaming the company responded with a follow-up Tweet:
Our bad. We're really busy for some reason. #ThanksB
— Red Lobster (@redlobster) February 7, 2016
The company will likely experience a boost in sales thanks to Beyoncé but it's lame social media retort has unquestionably harmed the brand image.
Last week UK department store chain House of Fraser tripped up on social media as a result of its naive decision to run an emoji social media drive which evoked widespread ridicule.