Here we are celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And right on cue, brands are tweeting out messages of rememberance stamped with the company's logo, or even the product itself.
To be fair, no one has tweeted anything terribly egregious today. [UPDATE: Whoops, we spoke too soon. Check out this stinker from the Seattle Seahawks.] Many simply tweeted quotes from MLK, which seems fine. The problem, as we've seen before, is when they try to tie in their brand or product. That's when the salute becomes more of a sales pitch. (And sorry, but how heartfelt of a tribute can Steak-Umm really offer?)
Take a look below at some brands that felt the need to weigh in:
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. today. A man who did so much for others. #MartinLutherKingDaypic.twitter.com/eEOKtjIf4V
— Chop't Salad (@Chopt) January 19, 2015
May we always retain our hope. #MartinLutherKingDaypic.twitter.com/4qzYbVXUit
— Cheesecake Factory (@Cheesecake) January 19, 2015
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKpic.twitter.com/D9fwWJay66
— Duane Reade (@DuaneReade) January 19, 2015
Happy MLK day from The Buick Gal! #NAIAS What was the Buick convertible we offered 25 years ago? #ThatsABuickpic.twitter.com/l49B0QPv1l
— Buick (@Buick) January 19, 2015
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend." #MartinLutherKingDay (IG pic @pawsomedogduo) pic.twitter.com/55qjlnuyqP
— PetSmart (@PetSmart) January 19, 2015
"Courage is the power of the mind to overcome fear." - Martin Luther King Jr.
— Planet Fitness (@PlanetFitness) January 19, 2015
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/BPO5nyRL85
— Staples US (@Staples) January 19, 2015
Today we honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKpic.twitter.com/1GDFn3yW02
— White Castle (@WhiteCastle) January 19, 2015
"The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King, Jr. #quoteoftheday#MLKDay
— steak_umm (@steak_umm) January 19, 2015
Thank you for inspiring everyone to dream in color. #MartinLutherKingDaypic.twitter.com/jJJe2eObNz
— Crayola (@Crayola) January 19, 2015
A toast to a very special man who strived for progression throughout his life. #MLKDaypic.twitter.com/7I6qNug4u4
— Guinness Ireland (@GuinnessIreland) January 19, 2015
Live your dream. Happy #MLKDay from Saks. pic.twitter.com/xymul8CZ4i
— Saks Fifth Avenue (@saks) January 19, 2015