Twitter found itself in an embarrassing situation this week, for which it has now apologized. The social network posted an image of fake tweets on its blog to demonstrate users’ positive reactions to its new advertising opportunity, Amplify, according SFGate.

That might not have been such a big deal, except for one thing: the company used real Twitter users’ handles, profile pictures and all, to manufacture the fake tweets with zero approval from the unsuspecting Tweeters. Twitter showcased the tweets lauding the TV ads as an example of how brands can monitor consumer conversation about their broadcast spots.

“What is the song in the new @barristabar commercial I love it!!” said one of the examples, from user @Neil_Gottlieb.

“I wish I could make fancy lattes like in the @barristabar commercial,” read another, from@WilliamMazeo.

A third user, @subhash_tewari, was also used for a bogus quote.

Unsurprisingly, when SFGate contacted the users about their photos and handles being snagged to sell ads, Gottlieb and Mazeo weren’t pleased. In fact, Gottlieb is reportedly consulting an attorney.

Twitter’s official advertising account publicly apologized on Wednesday, but that doesn’t seem to be enough:

The blushed company has since removed the fake testimonials and put another apology at the top of its original blog post, reading:

“An earlier version of this blog post included an image with mock Tweets from real users of our platform. This was not OK. Once we became aware of this mistake we took it down immediately. We deeply apologize to the three users included in the earlier images.It’s unclear why those three users were selected to advertise the bogus tweets. None of them have particularly large followings or appear to be influential users. We’ve contacted Twitter for further explanation, and will update if we hear back.”

Source: SFGate

Less than a week after Sharknado debuted on the SyFy network and created a sea of buzz on Twitter, the company officially announced a sequel is in the works for 2014. And this time, the cable channel is looking to the quick wit users on Twitter to fish out a campy tagline for the movie.

“Enough said” was the punchy tagline for the original Sharknado, the cable disaster flick about a freak tornado which triggers scores of man-eating fish to rain down on the residents of Los Angeles. Flying sharks invade New York City will be the follow-up.

To participate, fans can tweet their suggestions to @SyfyMovies using #Sharknado, and Syfy will select the best submission. The sequel will also be produced by Los Angeles-based studio The Asylum. According to the New York Post, it will be set in New York City.

Syfy’s executive vice president of programming and original movies, Thomas Vitale seems to be taking initiative to further bridge the gap between online engagement and TV viewership with this new social initiative. It remains to be seen whether social media buzz translates into actual ratings, but if SyFy can get its online audience to actively participate in something as sexy as naming the next thriller, the chances of users tuning in can only increase.

“Every once in a while, there is a perfect storm — on television. The fans are clamoring for a sequel. Or perhaps it will be a prequel,” said Syfy’s executive vice president of programming and original movies, Thomas Vitale, in a statement. “What we can guarantee is that Sharknado 2 will be lots of fun.”

Here are some promising propositions from the Twittersphere:

The Syfy announcement is accompanied by the network’s trailer release for Ghost Shark, a plot where a dead shark seeks revenge on the entire human race.

The backstory: “When Ava’s father is brutally murdered, no one believes that the ghost shark got him — except the crazy lighthouse keeper Finch.”

If you doubted it could get any better than that, know that the leading role of Ava is played by an all-grown-up, bikini-wearing Mackenzie Rosman, who starred as Ruthie Camden in 7th Heaven.

Ghost Shark premieres August 22. Watch the awful trailer below:

Source: Business Insider 

Clothing brand The Illuminati, which themes itself as a conspiracy theorist brand, has been tweeting bluntly about the controversial trial of George Zimmerman, the man recently found not-guilty of murdering Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

The clothing brand caused a stir last Tuesday when it tweeted, “The Only Justice for Trayvon Martin is to take the Life of George Zimmerman. #EyeForanEye #ZimmermanTrial.”

The Washington Times published a screen shot of the tweet, which seemed to have called for the death of the former neighborhood watch leader.  The tweet has since been deleted, and a more controlled Illuminati tweet has since emerged, “We do not support any violence in reaction to the #ZimmermanVerdict however we do believe in #JusticeForTrayvon.”

Since the tail end of the trial, the brand, which has over one million followers on Twitter, has continued to tweet a stream of comments surrounding to the case.

The call for brands to be ‘more human’ could be what has recently seemed to spark the bolder social approach. For example, more and more brands are standing up for previously hands-off topics such as marriage equality (Ben & Jerry’s and Svedka) and peace between India and Pakistan (Coca Cola). But a controversial legal case that involves racial issues and murder That’s something most brands would avoid.  Then again this is the same company that posted the article “14 Conspiracy Theory Locations You Must Visit,” and sells t-shirts with slogans like “F*** the police.”

Despite the controversial social strategy, The Illuminati clearly knows its audience. The tweet about Trayvon garnered 1,410 retweets and 492 favorites according to Topsy.

Source: Digiday