The great Twitter chicken wars
February 17th, 2009 |
One of my favorite Twitter users is PopeyesChicken. I even complimented the company in my post “Seven rules for establishing a corporate presence on Twitter” for being human and having a sense of humor. (The guy behind the account used to make inappropriate “nuggets” jokes which I really appreciated.)
But a few days ago, my romance with PopeyesChicken ended abruptly when I got a notice from Socialtoo that Popeyes had unfollowed me. I checked my followers list and verified the awful truth: dumped by a chicken. I’ve heard of people breaking up on social networks, but an unfollow has to be the unkindest click of the mouse.
Not long after, I discovered that Kentucky Fried Chicken was also on Twitter, as KFC_colonel. I guess I was on the rebound, so I decided to openly support KFC on Twitter as a way of retaliating against Popeyes for snubbing me. I promoted KFC with tweets like: “People behind @kfc_colonel are nice folks! Let’s help them out with a follow so they can achieve chicken parity on Twitter!” and “Slay the demon that is @Popeyeschicken!”
Keep in mind this was all in good fun. I don’t mind being unfollowed. OK, a little. I weep openly.
I included Popeyes in my updates hoping they would pick it up, and they did, tweeting: “I never quit following @jpostman! He must just want a piece of me. Looks like he’s gone over to the dark side.” Eventually they added me back and DM’d me that they hadn’t intentionally unfollowed. As KFC_colonel put it: “I love a story with a happy ending! Life’s too short to fight. Unless you’re fighting for the last piece of chicken in a bucket.”
I think it’s awesome that two “corporate spokespeople” can provide a useful customer service and have some fun while doing it. So if you’re on Twitter, follow them both if you don’t already. I’m going to chicken out and not say which one I prefer. I’ll just say they’re equally entertaining.
Update April 28, 2009: I just learned from a post by J C Lamkin on the Technically Speaking Radio blog http://is.gd/v8eK that Church’s Chicken is now on Twitter. Let the great Twitter chicken wars continue!
Rian ONeill Named Winner of February Promotion for a Signed Copy of SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate
Comments are still open on this post, but the promotion to leave a comment below to win a free copy of SocialCorp has ended. Rian ONeill is the winner! Congratulations Rian! Many thanks to everyone who commented and especially to @KFC_colonel and @PopeyesChicken for being tremendous good sports and great company spokespeople on Twitter!
Tags: Twitter, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeyes Chicken, unfollow, follow, Socialtoo
| Sphere This |
Maybe a Twitter revenue model? Pay per view - Fryday Night Chicken Fight.
Comment by Popeyes Chicken — February 18, 2009 @ 5:59 am
Chicken fight? Warning to the old timer - I’ve got a 2 inch pecker.
Comment by Popeyes Chicken — February 18, 2009 @ 10:27 am
I can’t quit the Colonel…here’s a couple of my favorite extra crispy Tweets:
Can’t afford a dozen red roses for your sweetie? How about 12 pieces of KFC in a red and white bucket? Always worked for the Colonel.
[And after I asked if KFC and Taco Bell would combine for an original recipe chicken taco:]
@rianoneill Sound good. For now, visit a KFC/Taco Bell, order your favorites from each and build your own! The Colonel’s good with that!
Comment by @rianoneill — February 18, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
My Dad told me that instead of spending the money my Mom gave him on babysitting, he would spend it on beer and put me out with the chickens in the yard for endless entertainment and supervision. Hmmm, I wouldn’t be surprised
Comment by Seana — February 20, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Haha, this is funny. Not only that, but I’m following Popeyes for making me laugh even more with his follow up comment.
Comment by Sylvia — February 20, 2009 @ 11:13 am
I went to KFC after the onset of the Twitter chicken wars (I was craving it after your DM AND I had a coupon!) and it was a total let-down! I had a coupon for free hot wings w/purchase of a large drink. I ordered a fruit punch, and they gave me a Pepsi, and the hot wings were bleh. I knew I should have stuck with the original recipe.
Comment by Jules — February 20, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Jules –
Send the Colonel an e-mail with your mailing address and I’ll send you some coupons for free Original Recipe — or whatever you’d like. “Bleh” wings just won’t fly with the Colonel!
kfc.colonel11@gmail.com
Respectfully,
kfc_colonel
Comment by kfc_colonel — February 20, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Now THAT is a brand working Twitter to the fullest extent. @kfc_colonel keeps it friendly and funny, all the while chatting back and taking action, as seen above. Bravo
Comment by @rianoneill — February 21, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
i think its really interesting to see how the 2 companies (KFC and PopeyesChicken) represent themselves to fight for the cause of winning customers over to have a few pieces of chicken marinated with some “secret recipie”
I think I can come to a conclusion that neither KFC nor Popeye Chicken ain’t a chickens to Twitter!
Comment by Cristyano — February 24, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Oh Joel, that is just too funny. I’m alost not sure what the point was, except as Cristyano says, neither company is a chicken when it comes to Twitter/social media.
Comment by Clara — February 26, 2009 @ 12:04 am
Update: April 28, 2009: I just learned from a post by J C Lamkin on the Technically Speaking Radio blog http://is.gd/v8eK that Church’s Chicken is now on Twitter. Let the great Twitter chicken wars continue!
Comment by joel — April 28, 2009 @ 8:33 am