It was a good guerilla marketing plan. West Coast chain Carls Jr. made an offer to Steven Spielberg he could refuse: they wanted him to back Spielburgers. Alas, the Oscar winning famous director said no in the end after a few days of fun on Twitter and other social media. “Cease and desist” is pretty definite. Carls Jr. made a bunch of little “commercials” for social media based on Spielberg movies to get his attention. Happy to report they skipped “Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Amistad.” Also, no video of Abraham Lincoln eating a burger!
The offer:
In honor of Steven Spielberg’s #ReadyPlayerOne, we’re changing the name of our Charbroiled Sliders to #SpielBurgers. Spielberg hasn’t signed off yet, but we assume he’s cool with it. pic.twitter.com/bdpRH0s8fo
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) March 26, 2018
ICYMI: As a tribute to the best director ever, we’re changing the name of our Charbroiled Sliders to #SpielBurgers! @StevenSpielberg saw em’ and he’s PUMPED. Headed to Amblin in a few to seal the deal! pic.twitter.com/SexHPzgul9
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) March 27, 2018
We’re calling this one Close Encounters of the Charbroiled Kind. Working title. What do you think @StevenSpielberg? You in? #CloseEncounters #SpielBurgers pic.twitter.com/4YiHp3CGF3
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) March 26, 2018
ICYMI: As a tribute to the best director ever, we’re changing the name of our Charbroiled Sliders to #SpielBurgers! @StevenSpielberg saw em’ and he’s PUMPED. Headed to Amblin in a few to seal the deal! pic.twitter.com/SexHPzgul9
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) March 27, 2018
The refusal:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM READY PLAYER ONE DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG REGARDING @CarlsJr “SPIELBURGERS” pic.twitter.com/BF8KF4VGc7
— Amblin Entertainment (@AmblinEnt) March 27, 2018