Twitter hashtag campaign backfires by unhappy customers

What happens when the hashtag gets hijacked

Many company’s have discovered that using hashtags effectively can put Twitter and social media campaigns over the top. But what happens when a hashtag campaign backfires?

An attempt to launch a Twitter campaign in the midst of a bitter strike affecting thousands of passengers did backfire for Qantas.

The company hoped to generate some positive PR with a post asking followers to suggest their dream in-flight experience using the hashtag #qantasluxury. But Qantas didn’t count on angry customers hijacking the Twitter competition to vent their frustrations with the airline.

#McDStories

McDonald’s launched a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #McDStories – it was hoping that the hashtag would inspire heart-warming stories about Happy Meals. Instead, it attracted snarky tweeps – some sample tweets:

#AskJPM

Based on Reddit’s popular AMA (Ask Me Anything) the idea seemed super simple: open up Twitter to ask – AskJPM – investment banker Jimmy Lee anything. Anything?

#Bashtag

Such behaviour led to the term “bashtag” being coined to describe situations in which a corporate Twitter hashtag is used to criticize the company.

Be careful when creating hashtag campaigns – it may unleash unintended negative consequences for the brand.

Short URL & title:
Twitter hashtag campaign backfires by unhappy customers — http://www.torbenrick.eu/t/r/jwp

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