Target’s not mad at the Facebook troll who posted on its behalf

Target knows a good joke when it sees one. Yesterday, its Facebook page was the center of a troll-storm when man posing as a Target customer service representative posted caustic comments to people upset with them over the company’s choice to eliminate gender labels on its toy aisles.

target2 target

While the conversation online was “overwhelmingly pro-Target,” as Digiday reported earlier this week, some didn’t agree with the move. People blasted the move as “ridiculous,” prompting online jokester Mike Melgaard (a.k.a. “Ask ForHelp,” complete with a Target logo as his picture) to reply back with sarcastic comments.

Target distanced itself from Melgaard, releasing a comment saying “clearly this individual was not speaking on behalf” of the retailer, even though we think it enjoyed someone shutting down its haters just a little bit.

Late Thursday, Target posted a picture acknowledging the troll showing a couple of toy trolls with the caption: “Remember when Trolls were the kings of the world? Woo hoo! They’re back and only at Target stores.”

targetpost

Cue the round-of-applause from commenters. The post has garnered 33,000 likes and 13,000 shares with 3,000 comments complimenting Target. “Well played, Target,” one said. Even Melgaard enjoyed it, writing “Target. Seriously. You are AWESOME.”

It looks like the trolled becomes the troller.

https://staging.digiday.com/?p=131298

More in Marketing

What TikTok’s e-commerce launch could mean for marketers and content creators

TikTok has officially launched its new e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, earlier this month on August 1. Using the new e-commerce platform, brands and creators can sell products directly on the platform, potentially creating new revenue streams, and tap into the short-form video platform’s growing popularity.

‘The influencer industry can be really vile’: Confessions of an influencer marketer on the industry’s unfair hiring practices

While the influencer industry might sound exciting and like it’s full of opportunities, one marketer can vouch for the horrific scenarios that still take place behind the scenes.

Digiday+ Research: Marketers said revenue grew in the last year, with more growth expected ahead

After a tumultuous 12 months, marketers are getting a clear picture of how they really did during a time of true uncertainty. And, as it turns out, it wasn’t all that bad.