AMC recently asked the social-networking site, Twitter to pull the feeds inspired by Mad Men from the online community.  The fans rose in uproar when they found out that their feeds, which are based on the critically acclaimed show, was taken down.  These feeds consist of short posts, typically of text-message length, and are posted in the voices of Mad Men characters.  Through the online community, users can subscribe to the daily messages of virtual Don Draper and Peggy Olson, among other employees of the fictional advertising agency, Sterling Cooper.

Twitter has not made it clear whether or not these feeds are endorsed by the network.  Moreover, AMC did not like the fact that some of the characters were used to promote products other than the show.  In fact, some characters were used to promote Twitter itself.

After filing a complaint, AMC ordered Twitter to pull out the feeds, thus causing buzz amongst those “characters” who survived the pull out.

Boss Bertram Cooper said, “It seems very quiet in the office today.”

Another Twitter playing Olson wrote on a newly registered account, “I worked hard.  I did my job.  But the boys at Twitter are just as churlish as the boys at Sterling Cooper.  Such a pity they're so petty.”

The pull-out caused fans to further criticize AMC.  Adrants.com wrote, “Its legal maneuvering may go down as the single worst use (misuse?) of social media.”

A number of Twitter accounts are actually fans pretending to be fictional characters, and this Mad Men incident can surely teach users a few lessons.  Though it may be legal to pretend to be a fictional character, Twitter may still face violation charges if its presentation confuses the readers as to whether or not an official network is endorsing the feeds.

Currently, AMC is still in the process of investigating the matter, noting that some of the network executives actually recognize the value of the feeds.  The show’s ratings have significantly dropped since the second season premiere, and this may be a good way to start promoting the show again.


-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Reuters
(Photo courtesy of AMC)