Even in Twitter’s infancy, brands embarrassed itselves.
Today, Twitter is celebrating its tenth birthday. Hard to believe it’s been a decade of #brandfails and social media managers making cringe-worthy comments almost on a daily basis. But before this became the new normal — where were you when US Airways tweeted out an X-rated picture of a toy airplane? — there were simpler times.
Using Twitter’s #FirstTweet contraption, we’ve compiled a list of brands’ first tweets to remind the world what faceless companies were like before they engaged in real-time marketing, hijacked hashtags or created cringe-worthy GIFs.
Here they are:
Approving some friend requests on my myspace page: http://tinyurl.com/2aw9w7
— Delta (@Delta) May 10, 2007
Hello Twitterati, The Washington Post is listening.
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 18, 2008
Hello Tweeps! Let’s talk.
— Pepsi™ (@pepsi) March 30, 2009
Welcome to the MySpace twitter account! Find out what’s happening on MySpace here.
— Myspace (@Myspace) February 20, 2009
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Red Lobster? @reply to let us know!
— Red Lobster (@redlobster) October 31, 2011
Hooked on Internet :-)
— Wix.com (@Wix) June 13, 2007
Today is the 1st day @Oreo is Tweeting! Who loves Oreo cookies? #followme
— Oreo Cookie (@Oreo) August 2, 2010
Trying to remember the combination to the KFC secret recipe safe. It has to be around here somewhere, dagnabbit!
— KFC (@kfc) July 11, 2008
Good morning Twitterverse! Charmin is committed to inspiring people around the country to have a better bathroom experience!
— Charmin (@Charmin) June 29, 2011
Testing out the SlateOlympics Twitter feed.
— Slate (@Slate) August 5, 2008
Hello, world. We’re going to give this Twitter thing a whirl. (Hey, better late than never)
— Yahoo (@Yahoo) February 9, 2009
It is a Monday!…. oh, wait, it is a Monday….:( Anything good on TV tonight?
— Kohl’s (@Kohls) April 27, 2009
Is this thing on? So, what shall we talk about?
— Arby’s (@Arbys) June 29, 2010
More in Marketing
Digiday+ Research: The 2026 guide to holiday marketing strategies, including A-Frame Brands, Mastercard and Ritual
Shoppers continue to grapple with higher prices and affordability, while brands face rising operating costs and increased pressure to prove their marketing dollars are delivering measurable returns.
Inside the indie agencies founded by Omnicom and IPG’s former staffers
Thousands of media practitioners and creatives have left Omnicom since its merger with IPG. Some have already founded their own agencies.
Who owns the creative brief? Brands and creators are renegotiating the relationship
Brands are moving creators beyond sponsored posts and into the creative process, reshaping who influences marketing decisions.