#CosbyMeme backfires as rape allegations resurface
Brand managers for the star asked followers to “meme-ify” pictures in an effort to create online buzz. They received a backlash of memes referencing sexual assault accusations instead. (Updated)
The Social Media Disaster Hall of Fame welcomed Bill Cosby as its newest member this week.
The comedian’s publicity team wanted to essentially meme-ify the once-beloved star of “The Cosby Show,” but the Internet rarely behaves the way pros hope it will.
His team tweeted a photo of Cosby to his 4 million Twitter followers along with a link to a meme generator. It took almost no time at all for the Internet to hijack the #CosbyMeme hashtag with images and text referencing rape allegations made against Cosby a decade ago.
#CosbyMeme : when social media doesnt go the way PRfolks expect. Check it out! #EpicFail
— Heather Ohlson (@Heather845) November 12, 2014
ThinkProgress has the backstory of allegations against Cosby:
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