The news article discusses the phenomenon of turning mundane events into viral sensations and corporate opportunities. It begins by highlighting how a tweet from a Taylor Swift fan account about her eating chicken with “seemingly ranch” became a trending topic. The tweet caught the attention of various brands and companies, who quickly capitalized on the trend by creating limited-time products related to the “seemingly ranch” phrase. However, the article points out the irony of major brands and news outlets jumping on every trend, while a fan account showed more tact and restraint in its posts.
The article emphasizes the corporate response to the viral tweet and the subsequent flood of products inspired by the “seemingly ranch” trend. It mentions that Heinz created a limited-time product called “Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch,” and other brands like Walmart, Hidden Valley, McDonald’s, Lays, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream also joined in. The author criticizes the overwhelming need for major brands and news outlets to quickly latch onto trends, noting how the owner of the fan account felt overwhelmed by the attention. The article acknowledges the fleeting nature of internet trends and memes, but highlights the absurdity of turning a simple tweet about condiments into a news story.
Lastly, the article reflects on the fan account’s behavior compared to that of major brands and news outlets. It praises the account’s tact and restraint, mentioning that they refrained from posting a particular photo of Taylor Swift and Travis at a private event out of respect for her privacy. The author humorously remarks that a fan account displayed more sensitivity than established brands and professional news organizations. The article concludes with a call for moderation and a reminder that not everything needs to be blown out of proportion in the realm of internet trends.
