In yet another example of why brands might just want to sit out serious events instead of posting "topical" social media updates, sleep aid ZzzQuil is being hammered on Twitter today for a post about Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The tweet wasn't patently offensive, to be sure, but it was definitely an awkward brand connection: "Today is the day for dreaming. Happy MLK Day."
As you can see below, the social media backlash began quickly, especially after being mocked by comedian Tim Heidecker. The brand account has tried defending the post, telling one critic, "Yikes, I gather you disagree with brands posting on such a significant day. No disrespect was intended."
Check out more reactions below.
Today is the day for dreaming. Happy MLK Day.— ZzzQuil (@ZzzQuil) January 20, 2014 Congrats to @ZzzQuil for winning "worst reference to MLK Day in a brand Tweet" this morning! pic.twitter.com/7WjBq60OlB— Mitsy (@misfit) January 20, 2014"Wanna remember MLK? No you don't! Get drunk off of our stuff instead!" - @zzzquil— Nathan Nommensen (@NateNomm) January 20, 2014“@ZzzQuil: Today is the day for dreaming. Happy MLK Day.” So wrong— Emily Earl (@EmilySurvive) January 20, 2014 On April 4th you guys should go with "death is the deepest sleep. Until then..." RT @ZzzQuil: Today is the day for dreaming. Happy MLK Day.— Pete Johnson (@PJohnsonWorks) January 20, 2014@TotesMcGotes Yikes, I gather you disagree with brands posting on such a significant day. No disrespect was intended.— ZzzQuil (@ZzzQuil) January 20, 2014@mrbitterness Do you disagree? You may disagree with brands posting, but as it echos his message, we felt it fitting. No disrespect intended— ZzzQuil (@ZzzQuil) January 20, 2014@ZzzQuil RIP your job, social media guy.— dooger2 (@dooger2) January 20, 2014
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