‘IHOb’ is no more: IHOP cops to name change stunt

IHOP was just messing with us. Surprise, surprise.

The chain never changed its thousands of signs, and most of the messaging surrounding the “IHOb” moniker took place on social media. However, communicators had asserted the move was not a stunt.

As previously reported on PR Daily:

The move is genuine, IHOP insists.

Fortune reported:

Although some Twitter users initially speculated that the tweet might have been a clever PR stunt to drum up interest for the breakfast chain, a spokesperson for IHOP confirmed to the New York Post that the tweet was serious.

We will have to wait until June 11 to find out what the new name change means for the 60-year-old restaurant chain, but at least one thing’s for sure, the pancakes don’t seem to be leaving the menu.

Now the chain is fessing up.

We’re giving away 60¢ short stacks on July 17 from 7a-7p for IHOP’s 60th birthday. That’s right, IHOP! We’d never turn our back on pancakes (except for that time we faked it to promote our new burgers) pic.twitter.com/KsbkMJhKuf

— IHOP (@IHOP) July 9, 2018

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Though Fortune reported that the tweet announcing IHOP’s return—if that’s the proper term—received less engagement than the purported name change, the re-rebranding still sparked buzz on Twitter.

IHOB cant just go back to being IHOP. It was an emotional roller coaster for me and I just dont think I'm ready to accept it was a joke and act like nothing happened. I was hurt and as soon as my wounds start to heal they go JUST KIDDING. Who am I kidding I'll always love u IHOP

— Grant Ledet (@LedetGrant) July 10, 2018

Some voiced their upset (real or feigned):

I feel so lied to :(

— Baby girl🌴🍍 (@Kittypeake01) July 9, 2018

International House of Backpedalling https://t.co/KP9aC3NLTk

— Matthew Libby (@mattlibbs) July 9, 2018

Others expressed relief (real or feigned):

IHOB is back to IHOP, everything is restored in this world

— Gab🐝 (@the_fab_gab_) July 10, 2018

Plenty just rolled their eyes and tossed out a little snark about the chain’s waffling:

ihop changing to ihob and then back to ihop is just another metaphor for why you can’t trust men

— jodie (@jodieegrace) July 9, 2018

The trust is already gone. https://t.co/DnVwboQ7Ta

— Maximilian Uriarte (@TLCplMax) July 9, 2018

IHOB goes back to IHOP. America breathes a collective sigh of ‘who cares’.

— Chris Miller (@ChrisMillerOnTV) July 10, 2018

Some PR pros noted that the move was successful in garnering attention for the brand:

They did get a lot of attention. (Not all favorable.) But they say there’s no such thing as bad PR. 🤷‍♀️

— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) July 10, 2018

Brand managers who had teased IHOP chimed in:

RIP IHOB

— DiGiorno (@DiGiorno) July 9, 2018

What do you think of IHOP’s name stunt, PR Daily readers?

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