Company Battles

 We've all seen it before: A company posts something on their social media. Maybe it's a new promotion or product, a meme, or just a poll. What they get is a witty response in the replies... by another company. Companies interact with one another constantly, and it is a good strategy. Friendly banter establishes the members of it as important, gives onlookers a reason to follow both accounts, and keep the brands top of mind, all of which are crucial for Social Media Marketing. As such, I want to look over a few of my favorite Twitter feuds between giants. 

A classic, the smartphone market is a battlefield where Apple and Samsung constantly trade market share and try to strive to become THE smartphone. So of course, when the opportunity arises to be snarky and promote Apple's other competitors, Samsung more than obliges. It's a simple response, but it hits Apple perfectly, giving Samsung a well-deserved win in the constant struggle that is brand social media interactions. 

Another great example of a short but hard-hitting reply, this time in the automobile industry. Audi posts a cool-looking picture promoting their M4, and BMW quickly swoops in to promote their own brand and denigrate Audi's. It's a bit more aggressive than the previous example, but I would still call this banter. All in all, score for whoever manages the BMW USA account, as well as for anyone that enjoys watching companies feud.

Not all wars need constant battles. Ceasefires here and then have occurred during war. The first that comes to mind  is the Christmas truce of 1914, where many British and German soldiers in WWI agreed to a stop for the warfare during December 24 to 26. A ceasefire in the comic book occurred when Chadwick Boseman unexpectedly passed away. Here we can see DC, Marvel's main competitor, honoring the actor's legacy. A class move all around that puts both Marvel and DC in a more positive light.

Here's another interesting "ceasefire." With the COVID pandemic happening, Burger King decided to make a post inciting their followers to shop at fast (and not so fast) food places, including their chief rival, McDonalds. An interesting strategy indeed, Burger King shows solidarity for their competitors and they are seen in a more positive light. They still promote their product and brand, but they also create an image of altruism by telling their followers to go elsewhere to support everyone during an unprecedented time. A very smart move all-around.

So what are some of your favorite social media interactions between brands? What do you think is the best way to interact with competition in social media? Let me know in the comments!