This election may have been anything but predictable. Fortunately for those seeking solace in the foreseeable, brands have been up to their creaky old tricks.
On Election Day in the United States, millions of citizens turned out to vote. And seemingly just as many social media managers logged in to practice their patriotic brand duty — er, put out some tweets.
Here are the winners and losers.
Winners
Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole probably didn’t plan for this, but Glamour magazine surfaced a 1996 ad today boldly predicting that by 2016, there would be a woman in the White House is a certain winner. (It was part of a larger campaign that featured other “fantasies,” in Cole’s own words, including that by 2020, all sex would be safe and guns would be only seen in museums.) Here is the ad.
The @kennethcole ad that predicted a female president in 2016 two decades ago: https://t.co/jE6dvQNhCQ pic.twitter.com/GqoMeHrClY
— Glamour (@glamourmag) November 8, 2016
Foursquare
OK, service-y and smart. Foursquare has the drinking holes and places to eat near your polling place. Bottom’s up.
The ultimate #PostVotingStressRelief. Find the best places to near your polling place. https://t.co/XmF6NGwckK pic.twitter.com/ie2kYEzEaS
— Foursquare (@Foursquare) November 8, 2016
Votecastr
Data startup Votecastr is working with publishers like Slate and Vice to create real-time projections of which presidential candidate is winning at any given moment in seven swing states. Here’s why it’s different: Until now, media outlets have traditionally never released voting information before polls close, a collusion designed, ostensibly, in order to prevent affecting voter turnout on the day itself. As a media experiment, it appears to be a winner.
VoleCaster early vote estimate: Clinton leads in Florida. https://t.co/0MYwETPJZH via @slate
— VoteCastr (@votecastr) November 8, 2016
Pizza to the Polls
Not technically a brand, but a nonpartisan group called Pizza to the Polls is delivering pizzas to those waiting in long voting lines. It finds the closest pizza place and delivers pies to those voters.
We send pizzas to polling places with long lines! Spot a long line or want to donate some ‘za to hungry voters? https://t.co/JoMqWWbAds
— Pizza to the Polls (@PizzaToThePolls) November 8, 2016
Losers
Izod
Ken Bone is back! Bone is teaming up with Izod for a campaign called #MyVote2016, which includes an ad called “Fifteenth Minute.” The get-out-the-vote effort features Bone talking about being internet famous and asking Americans to not lose hope in the political process. The brand also sponsored a Twitter campaign asking users to share their thoughts on the election. Fifteen minutes of Bone has already been fifteen too many.
I am a Twitter emoji! Join the #MyVote2016 conversation and share your voice. Message paid for by @IZOD pic.twitter.com/Y8QT48ddsL
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) November 7, 2016
Seamless
Seamless can always be counted on for a topical tweet. Unfortunately, taking pride in taking part in a democratic process doesn’t quite pack the same punch as sharing your pho order from your couch.
You may not be able to share your ballot, but you can share your delivery order! #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/pNqbWMasM8
— Seamless (@Seamless) November 8, 2016
Chipotle
Chipotle’s Snapchat account features people approaching voters waiting in long lines — who are probably pretty hungry — to ask if they’re voting for tacos or burritos. Leave the man-on-the-street stuff Bill Eichner.
Spotify
Spotify seemed to get it right at first with its Election Day playlist that included a get out the vote message from President Barack Obama. But,it neglected to include any female artists in its 27-song-mix. Oops. Once the backlash began, Spotify then went in and added a bunch of songs by women, including Beyoncé, Katy Perry and M.I.A.
‘@Spotify puts up an election playlist that is 100% male artists on the day we will elect the first woman president. #ToppleThePatriarchy
— nastywoman🇺VOTE (@AshleyLLouise) November 8, 2016
Patagonia
Preachy brands are the worst.
In 2014, just 60% of eligible citizens voted. Let’s do better this #electionday . Don’t sit this one out, get to the polls & #VoteOurPlanet. pic.twitter.com/y0ng2A3u4P
— Patagonia (@patagonia) November 8, 2016
Burlington
Contouring is not on the ballot.
It’s time to get your #vote on! Tell us in the comments below, contouring- yea or nay! https://t.co/Jshmp10nfU pic.twitter.com/DtmGOPWz7n
— Burlington (@Burlington) November 8, 2016
Pizza Hut
Neither’s pizza.
When in doubt, go with the pizza party. pic.twitter.com/3PFiMafcfP
— Pizza Hut (@pizzahut) November 8, 2016
Hostess
Hostess is the person you never want at your party.
Anything going tonight, news-wise?.#ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/wK2Ma9kEvV
— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) November 8, 2016
Wait… there’s more.
Our earlier post was embarrassing, of course there’s a Fixer Upper marathon tonight. pic.twitter.com/aAZfJu3qcy
— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) November 8, 2016
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