#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)
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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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