As a part of an advertising promotion, Food Lion is giving away two tickets to the 2015 Super Bowl. And while such a giveaway is a surefire way to gain people’s information for valuable email ad campaigns, Food Lion’s execution of their giveaway could have been much better.
How do you get NFL fans to spit in the face of the chance to win free Super Bowl tickets? How about you just insult their favorite teams.
Hey @Atlanta_Falcons fans. Your team isn't going to the Super Bowl doesn't mean you can't go http://t.co/huhFLWh2nV pic.twitter.com/u7tnYBoExn
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
Don't pout @49ers fans. Your team isn't going to the Super Bowl but you can still go. http://t.co/huhFLWh2nV pic.twitter.com/2AlOmOFqJs
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
The @Redskins won't be at Super Bowl XLIX but their fans still have a chance to go. http://t.co/huhFLWh2nV #NFL pic.twitter.com/x9FeeDOBVv
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
Aside from the generic Tweet shown above, Food Lion was able to personalize a few of them. Some make sense given the current NFL standings.
Eli won't be playing in AZ in Feb. but @Giants fans can still go to the Super Bowl http://t.co/huhFLWh2nV pic.twitter.com/jR0TpboW3r
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
And some don’t.
Sorry @dallascowboys fans. Romo isn't taking the team to the Super Bowl. But you can still go. http://t.co/huhFLWh2nV pic.twitter.com/IGLaZawyS5
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
I mean, sure the “Tony Romo is a choker” narrative is a strong one but the Cowboys have just a good a chance at making the Super Bowl as any other playoff contender.
Needless to say, Twitter was less than pleased with Food Lion’s approach to publicity.
Hey @FoodLion I don't shop at your second-rate grocery store.
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 21, 2014
We lead our division? RT @FoodLion: Hey @Atlanta_Falcons fans. Your team isn't going to the Super Bowl doesn't mean you can't go
— Maggie Rowland (@FullyLoadedMagg) November 21, 2014
@FoodLion @49ers great marketing ploy, piss off every team's fans. Genius IMO
— Codename: Eezy (@Eezy49) November 21, 2014
Harsh, RT @FoodLion Sorry @dallascowboys fans. Romo isn’t taking the team to the Super Bowl. But you can still go. http://t.co/5BWJ2NZAYs
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 21, 2014
Food Lion has since apologized to all offended fans.
Our apologies…Everyone can go to the Super Bowl! Including the @49ers @steelers @Panthers @dallascowboys @Atlanta_Falcons @Giants @Saints
— Food Lion (@FoodLion) November 21, 2014
