What’s the worst social media campaign you’ve ever seen?

This is my favorite from an Atlanta barbeque restaurant:

 http://bcove.me/396nqxsa

Ouch :/ but that actually made me giggle a little lolThey do say there is no such thing as bad publicity, do you think he would agree?

Though to be fair some companies have an image like that and it is appropriate to act in that way. One example would be Philly Cheese stake joints, Pat’s and Gino’s. They both have an image to uphold of being very “aggressive” with customers. I have seen them refuse business MANY times. They are right across the street from each other and they each ban the use of their condiments on the other’s cheese stakes. They also won’t serve anyone who does not speak English. So if this were to come from them, I doubt many people would have too much of a reaction as that is how they make a profit. Eating there is an experience based off of the fear that you will be yelled it. I am not saying that the BBQ place is in the same position of doing what Pat’s and Gino’s does, but it definitely made their business name popular in some way haha.

@andrea-vahl OMG I love your blog. Can you get me Grandma Mary’s autograph?

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

I’m thinking the BBQ restaurant’s name has something to do with why this went extremely viral, lol. I mean what were they thinking? And what kind of customers would consider that a “family” restaurant?

I mean, can you imagine sitting with the news staff at that TV station discussing whether they should cover the story at all? They created a better story by playing it straight and choosing to make that business an unmentionable household name, KNOWING it would go viral.

I mean, how exactly do you announce to your children that you’re going there for a bite to eat? I mean, good gracious, how do they advertise at all when given FCC standards?

 Is it possible that this was all a publicity stunt to advertise the restaurant? I mean, will YOU ever forget this restaurant exists near Turner Field and Atlanta Braves games where millions of hungry people constantly drive long distances to come within four miles of YOUR restaurant?

Hmmmmm. If I were their creepy ad agency, that’s exactly what I’d do. That’s exactly what Hooter’s has done. So will we be seeing a chain of these restaurants coming soon to a neighborhood near you?

Robin Carlisle

@sgsrecording @andrea-vahl @robpeck @matthewoneill @alexandrabriggs @pacey

I do not think it was a PR stunt. It was a mistake. Social media fail, as clear as they come. If it was a PR stunt what did they win from it? A bad name? The place where you go to be offended?

It was not an exclusive restaurant, they did not reply that they uphold some standards, and that they are sorry you can not use “sauce from another restaurant”. They were rude to a (perhaps bad) client that did on ok (but negative) review of their place. I, for one, would never go there (if it was in my town).

@casmccullough If you can’t understand someone then there is nothing a restaurant can do…and companies usually always hold the right to refuse service.

I think it would be interesting to check in and see if the BBQ restaurant’s numbers went up or down. 

Personally, I would never go there after that, but I’m not always in sync with what others think is funny or appropriate these days.

As for not serving those who don’t speak English, it would be wise to remember that other customers who do speak English may react and spread the word about such a choice. Just something to consider in addition to any legal requirements.