KFC grabbed Twitter gold with a subtle joke

Chalk one up to clever—and original—marketing.

On Tuesday, a Twitter user pointed out that KFC’s Twitter account—which has 1.22 million followers—only follows 11 people. The fried chicken chain follows the five members of the Spice Girls and six men named “Herb”—a play on the fast-food chain’s secret recipe:

.@KFC follows 11 people.

Those 11 people? 5 Spice Girls and 6 guys named Herb.

11 Herbs & Spices. I need time to process this.

— Edge (@edgette22) October 19, 2017

For brand managers looking to make a splash online and stand out against a sea of clever (and not-so-clever) marketing messages, this page from KFC’s playbook focused on the long-term digital marketing game.

Twitter users applauded the move, with some calling for KFC’s social media manager to get a raise:

GENIUS.

— shiverner (@scrivener) October 20, 2017

the person that runs the KFC account needs a raise. I don't care how much they make now. GIVE THEM A RAISE.

— Samantha O'Pumpkins (@sicklittlejag) October 19, 2017

They must have a seasoned marketing person. 😉😉 #seewhatIdidthere

— Adam Dzuricky (@thebatman012) October 20, 2017

http://pic.twitter.com/SPf5yvXQkY

— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) October 19, 2017

All I can really hope for is that I’m hired by a firm that believes in the marketing premise of meme magic.

— MDL (@WhiteGirlLeader) October 20, 2017

I don't think anything I've learned this year can top this. KFC....you make me proud to be a Kentuckian....

— Mikky J Wright (@mikkyjwright) October 19, 2017

"FINALLY" --KFC social media manager

— Mrs. Carm (@Mrs_Carm) October 20, 2017

[RELATED: Learn how to properly pitch your stories, boost your visual content muscles, measure your tactics and more.]

The gag also garnered headlines and praise from journalists.

A.V. Club’s William Hughes wrote:

Truly, we’re now living in the golden age of the fast food social media utopia, a magical wonderland where Wendy’s hands out sick burns and free nuggets daily, and some mad Twitter genius at KFC has just pulled off one of the most hilariously subtle online gags in corporate chicken history.

Metro’s Ellen Scott wrote:

Whoever runs the KFC Twitter account deserves a massive raise. Well done.

Even Wendy’s admitted the marketing play was clever:

Just realized they weren't following back.
Rude.
Good joke though.

— Wendy's (@Wendys) October 20, 2017

It seems that marketing patience has paid off. Not only did KFC’s social media manager get kudos and calls for a raise—Ford’s chief brand officer, Musa Tariq, also offered up a job:

To whomever runs the @KFC twitter account and thought of this. Call me whenever you need a job. You a genius. https://t.co/KjWPvnTJuD

— Musa Tariq (@MusaTariq) October 20, 2017

What do you think of the move, PR Daily readers?

(Image via)

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