Corporations and big businesses are not traditionally known for their sense of humour. Before social media, interacting with customers was a one-way street, with press releases and communiques all about toeing the company line in a staid and sensible way.
But when social media became their customer base's preferred way of communicating, many companies had to step into the brave new world of (whisper it!) humour, to keep their clients' attention and loyalty.
Here are 10 Twitter company accounts that are sure to make you laugh the next time you're scrolling through ...
1. Wendy’s, @Wendys
Whoever runs the US fast food chain Wendy’s Twitter account needs a raise and an extra side of fries. Wendy’s account stays on top of the zeitgeist, parodying celebrity events and politics, jumping on the latest trends and memes, and also takes regular pot shots at both its fast food competition and adoring fan base.
2. Pop-Tarts, @poptartsus
The sugary snack that usually ends up being the butt of most breakfast jokes, wants you all to know it’s in on the gag. It was most recently spied getting into it with dating app Tinder’s Twitter account, and accusing Jerry Seinfeld of being obsessed with them.
3. SparkNotes, @SparkNotes
The company that simplifies literary classics for students studying the works has emerged as a master of the Twitter game. It turns famous books, novelists and plot points into modern-day memes in ways that we're sure Jane Austen and William Shakespeare would approve.
4. Netflix, @Netflix
For a global company as young as Netflix, we'd be disappointed if it hadn't grasped this one simple premise of interacting with clients on Twitter: Be funny! Luckily for us, Netflix has nailed it as much as it's perfected binge watching.
5. Old Spice, @OldSpice
Yes, Old Spice, the aftershave beloved of grandads the world over, is a Twitter account you should definitely follow. Just going on its bio: "Muscles. Smells. Lazers. Gifs," you can tell that the company is in on the joke.
6. McDonald’s, @McDonalds
There’s no denying that Wendy’s Twitter account forced Maccy D’s to step up its social media game. Claiming in its bio that, “Grimace is a close personal friend of mine”, a recent Halloween tweet was a cry for help: “Plz stop tagging us in your 'Sexy Hamburglar' Halloween costume pics.”
7. Charmin, @Charmin
The US toilet paper brand has really leaned into the global pandemic-inspired run on lavatory paper, as well as providing plenty of good ol’ clean toilet-based humour. “We’re here for the runs,” they declared during the recent baseball World Series. Tee hee!
8. Moosejaw, @MoosejawMadness
The Canadian outdoor clothing brand has racked up more than 30,000 followers with plenty of outdoorsy humour. Declaring itself, "The most fun outdoor retailer on the planet", the hiking tips are not only helpful, but super funny. "You can hit your hiking partner with a trekking pole as hard as you want whenever you want as long as you follow it up with, 'Oh man, I think that was a scorpion. Are there scorpions out here?'"
9. JetBlue Airways, @jetblue
You may have to scroll a little, but the short haul US airline will deliver. In between tweets about destinations and onboard safety, you’ll find little nuggets such as this masterclass in Kim Kardashian trolling.
10. Denny’s, @DennysDiner
The American diner became hilariously obsessed with horror author Stephen King during Halloween, and continues to churn out funny content. Staying on the ball with memes and Gen Z trends, enjoy bon mots such as: "They say the customer is always right, and that's why Denny's trivia night was an absolute disaster."
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Read more:
Thriving, not just surviving: How savvy UAE entrepreneurs used social media to get ahead in a pandemic
The most stirring 2020 festive adverts so far: From John Lewis and Coca-Cola to Gucci and Amazon
Ariana Grande makes Instagram history: singer reaches a milestone of 200 million followers
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Education reform in Abu Dhabi
The emirate’s public education system has been in a constant state of change since the New School Model was launched in 2010 by the Abu Dhabi Education Council. The NSM, which is also known as the Abu Dhabi School Model, transformed the public school curriculum by introducing bilingual education starting with students from grades one to five. Under this new curriculum, the children spend half the day learning in Arabic and half in English – being taught maths, science and English language by mostly Western educated, native English speakers. The NSM curriculum also moved away from rote learning and required teachers to develop a “child-centered learning environment” that promoted critical thinking and independent learning. The NSM expanded by one grade each year and by the 2017-2018 academic year, it will have reached the high school level. Major reforms to the high school curriculum were announced in 2015. The two-stream curriculum, which allowed pupils to elect to follow a science or humanities course of study, was eliminated. In its place was a singular curriculum in which stem -- science, technology, engineering and maths – accounted for at least 50 per cent of all subjects. In 2016, Adec announced additional changes, including the introduction of two levels of maths and physics – advanced or general – to pupils in Grade 10, and a new core subject, career guidance, for grades 10 to 12; and a digital technology and innovation course for Grade 9. Next year, the focus will be on launching a new moral education subject to teach pupils from grades 1 to 9 character and morality, civic studies, cultural studies and the individual and the community.
Match info
Uefa Nations League Group B:
England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Aahid Al Khalediah II, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Whistle, Harry Bentley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup - Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alsaied, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mumayaza, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Medahim, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
Liz%20Truss
%3Cp%3EMinisterial%20experience%3A%20Current%20Foreign%20Secretary.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DWhat%20did%20she%20do%20before%20politics%3F%20Worked%20as%20an%20economist%20for%20Shell%20and%20Cable%20and%20Wireless%20and%20was%20then%20a%20deputy%20director%20for%20right-of-centre%20think%20tank%20Reform.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DWhat%20does%20she%20say%20on%20tax%3F%20She%20has%20pledged%20to%20%22start%20cutting%20taxes%20from%20day%20one%22%2C%20reversing%20April's%20rise%20in%20National%20Insurance%20and%20promising%20to%20keep%20%22corporation%20tax%20competitive%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
The UAE's journey to space
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
