AT&T apologizes for 9/11 tweet

[onehandle]

Source: CNN



AT&T's original tweet included a hand holding up a smartphone, with the Tribute in Light memorial captured on the device's screen. The memorial features two columns of light representing the fallen Twin Towers. "Never Forget," the post said.

The tweet, which AT&T posted at 12:15 p.m. ET Wednesday, quickly went viral. Some Twitter users replied with expletives, while others called it "tacky," "disgusting" and "tasteless." Others threatened to switch carriers.

The tweet was up for only an hour before AT&T deleted it and posted an apology.

"We apologize to anyone who felt our post was in poor taste," AT&T said in the second tweet. "The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy."

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/11/technology/social/att-9-11-tweet/index.html

[mainstreetonce]

1. Why?

Why would an apology be needed for that reminder?

[Blue_Tires]

5. Well, a "reminder" wrapped up in commercial advertising

has a strange habit of offending people...go figure....

[Brewinblue]

18. I agree.

People need to calm the fuck down with the poutrage.

[warrant46]

2. You can't please all of the People all of the Time

Disgusting hardly

[bigwillq]

3. What exactly is the poutage about?

[alp227]

16. The commercialization of a tragedy.

Just like using Pearl Harbor in a product placement would be tasteless as hell.

[frylock]

4. i wonder how many of those that called it "tacky," "disgusting" and "tasteless.."

sat in front of their computers last night waiting for the exact moment the clock turned to 12:00 (or 9:00, for those of us on the west side) so they could post their "Never Forget" jpegs on FB and twitter?

[Blue_Tires]

7. I only waited for the clock to strike midnight because

(it's my birthday )

[frylock]

8. happy birthday!

[TeamPooka]

11. Happy Birthday

[demwing]

12. Happy BDay, but I bet that sucks!

It could be hard to get into a holiday mood on a day so tragic.

[Brewinblue]

19. 9/11 b'day

My niece and an old friend both share with you. Really sucked for the niece, as it was her 4th birthday in 2001 and no one was in a celebratory mood.

[Posteritatis]

14. They weren't actively trying to monetize it. (nt)

[ret5hd]

33. How much money did they expect to make from those postings?

[christx30]

6. I can see why people would be

offended. Looks like they are using 9/11 to try to sell phones. It's not just a picture of the Tribute. It's a picture of the Tribute via the Phone. The Phone is the "star" of the commercial. Like a salute to JFK by Apple on November 22, with the Zapruder film being showed on an iPad. "Our thoughts go out to the Kennedy family on the anniversary of their loss. But isn't the resolution clear on here?"

[Ash_F]

29. That's right. They could have left the phone out.

Really no reason to have it in the frame other than branding.

[qanda]

9. I don't get it

What's the big deal? As far as tributes go, it's not the worst I've seen.

[Enrique]

10. not as bad as Subway's

(Onion alert)

[demwing]

13. I hope the Onion Alert

doesn't have anything to do with what veggies come on the sandwich

[Skittles]

25. SCHEDULING ENRIQUE FOR ASS KICKING

*EGREGIOUS*

[DreamGypsy]

26. First responders, first served - Twin Chowers cold cut combo with Ground Zero–Carb vinaigrette

When you're the ONION, you can only respond as the ONION.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-subway-promotion-to-honor-subtember-11,33768/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:1

MILFORD, CT—Citing a wide range of deals customers will “never forget,” fast food chain Subway announced an exciting new promotion this week to honor and commemorate Subtember 11. “With a number of terrific discounts on special sandwiches as well as our classic footlongs, you’ll always remember where you were on Subtember 11,” Subway president Fred DeLuca told reporters, referring to Subway’s special promotion in which, for a limited time only, visitors of the restaurant’s tens of thousands of franchise locations will be able to “fly on in” and pick up two footlong subs of their choice for only $9.11. “From the Structural Steel Melt on Tower 7–Grain bread to the Twin Chowers cold cut combo with Ground Zero–Carb vinaigrette on a Let’s Whole Wheat Roll, we’ve got something for everybody this Subtember 11.” DeLuca added that the special promotion will be “first responders, first served.”

[snooper2]

15. So I understand Social Justice Warriors, or SJW's

What do you call people that throw fits over something like this?

[alp227]

17. Why are you repeating right wing/libertarian talking points here?

Do you not understand the implications of using 9/11 in product placement?

[snooper2]

20. what right wing talking point?

[alp227]

21. "social justice warrior", a slang term by anti-progressive netizens nt

[snooper2]

38. nope, for example, there were/are SJW on both sides of the Zimmerman case

all over the intertubes-



you read the definition lately?

social justice warrior

A pejorative term for an individual who repeatedly and vehemently engages in arguments on social justice on the Internet, often in a shallow or not well-thought-out way, for the purpose of raising their own personal reputation. A social justice warrior, or SJW, does not necessarily strongly believe all that they say, or even care about the groups they are fighting on behalf of. They typically repeat points from whoever is the most popular blogger or commenter of the moment, hoping that they will "get SJ points" and become popular in return. They are very sure to adopt stances that are "correct" in their social circle.

The SJW's favorite activity of all is to dogpile. Their favorite websites to frequent are Livejournal and Tumblr. They do not have relevant favorite real-world places, because SJWs are primarily civil rights activists only online.

[Nine]

22. I see little difference between this and the much-loved bowing clydesdales superbowl commercial.(nt)

[Beartracks]

23. I was having similar thoughts.

A company can honor or remember such a tragedy, and the sentiments may truly be sincere by the people putting forth such a statement. But from a PR perspective, the bottom line is still RIGHT THERE: they want us to know that they are compassionate, human... and open for business. Sort of like: "We remember the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day for our freedoms... just as we hope you'll remember how awesome we are for saying this next time you're in the market for {specific goods/services}."

That might be cynical, but I always wonder about such things, probably because of my media and marketing background.

===========================

[Ash_F]

30. The clydesdale commercial had no beer in it. /nt

[Nine]

34. No, but it had the brand.

The clydesdales are well associated with Budweiser, and the Budweiser logo was shown at the end of the commercial. And the Budweiser ad was shown during the Superbowl (so huge bucks, huge audience) several months after the attacks. AT&T's was just a tweet, and it was twelve years after the attacks. Also, when do the clydesdales ads ever show beer? They aren't that kind of ad, but they're certainly meant to SELL beer. I just don't see why Budweiser gets praise for its commercial and AT&T gets criticism. Seems like Budweiser just had a better marketing team and was able to pull off the same tactic in a smoother and subtler manner.

[Brickbat]

37. Same.

[Gore1FL]

24. "The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy."

and sell phones... I am getting to hate the way Americans have used 9/11 over the last 12 years as much as I hated the terrorists for making it happen.

I look forward to when it is considered history and not a raw nerve we just have to scrape with a dull steak knife.

[gopiscrap]

27. fucking asswipe big business

trying to capitalize on the sorrow of others

[jsr]

28. Opportunistic jingoistic crap.

[AngryOldDem]

31. Sadly, that's what the whole "Patriot's Day" has become. At least for me.

I drove past a house whose lawn was filled with flags and a huge, inflatable Uncle Sam. A highway overpass was full of flags and a sign about how great and strong the U.S. is. And the local paper had a story about 9/11 observances and almost all the comments were Islam and liberal bashing, all written by "good, patriotic Americans".

Honor the victims, absolutely. But is this the way to do it? I had the thought yesterday that the day is just an excuse to shamelessly wallow in anger and xenophobia.

[Theyletmeeatcake2]

32. I agree .There's been too much made of this....

The whole 9/11 tragedy has been taken advantage of ,to inflict that much damage to Iraq,Afghanistan and however else can be wrapped up in the the axis of evil mantra. Wake up people don't you see that the powers that be have reduced freedoms in all aspects of life all in the name of fighting Terrorism. If you're constantly being reminded that you could be involved in another 9/11 how can you live a normal life? Look at the odds of being involved in a terrorist act and compare those to the odds of being shotdead,having substandard healthcare or not being able to afford healthcare,having health concerns from having to eat shitfood because you can't afford a healthy diet ,being robbed by a crackhead,being beaten by a police officer or park ranger and too many other items that people seem to think are part of a normal life. This is not the way in many other countries . It upsets me that the people can be so manipulated to think they are threatened and that their country is great and right because god is on their side....There is a difference between being Christian and being a Christian .....and this applies to all other religions .Rant over. Maybe I should get a cat except they're not as much fun as a dog!!!

[Nihil]

35. Got it in one:

"the day is just an excuse to shamelessly wallow in anger and xenophobia"


(And to give weapons to terrorists - this time in Syria - just to emphasise
how certain people *never* learn from history.)

[PD Turk]

36. Well, I can't get worked up about it

I mean, if we are referring to "commercialization" of the tragedy, I'd say the way W and his buddies set up the Iraq war to feed billions to Cheney-Halliburton Inc was some pretty egregious commercialization . After that, this hardly sets off my outrage meter..,