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Monday, 16 November 2020 11:22

Thoughts on Twitter’s BBC Dad Ad From a Social Media Agency in Denver

Robert Kelly went from world-renowned political pundit to internet sensation overnight in 2017 when his live interview on BBC News was charmingly interrupted by his young children. Long before the days of constant Zoom meetings and work-from-home orders, this type of interruption seemed almost novel. Thanks to the pandemic, they are now fairly commonplace. In Twitter’s most recent ad, Robert Kelly is back to show you how to stay focused and avoid distractions. And as a social media agency in Denver, we’re always on the lookout for engaging ads—especially with pop culture references—so we’re here to share our thoughts on this witty advertisement.

 Wait, Who Is the BBC Dad?

Before we dive in, you have to watch the original interview if you haven’t already. The video currently has over 41 million views, so it’s safe to say Robert Kelly, or the “BBC Dad,” has officially achieved meme status. Kelly, a well-known professor based in South Korea, has been a frequent face on many international broadcasts and news outlets both before and after “the interview,” thanks to his expertise on foreign policy. And now, he’s back in an ad to announce Twitter’s latest feature: response restrictions (an effective way to stop unwelcome interruptions).

 

An Eruption of Interruptions

In the ad, Kelly plays himself and is once again interrupted by his children adorably barging into the video and his wife, Jung-a Kim, frantically trying to get them out of the frame.

This time, a litany of other uninvited guests appear as Kelly explains how you can now keep your brand or personal communications on Twitter from being hijacked by uninvited, distracting guests.

Twitter’s New Conversation Settings

So, what exactly sparked this idea? Carlos Cantu, the Twitter EMEA marketing director, had this to say about the new ad: “We wanted to create a fun video to remind brands about Twitter’s conversational settings, and there is no one better to talk about unwanted interruptions than BBC Dad, Robert Kelly.”

With this new conversation setting, businesses and brands can choose who is allowed to respond to their tweets, whether it’s everyone, only the accounts they follow, or their own followers.

Essentially, these new restriction options can help give brands increased control over the conversations they start, so that distracting, unwanted replies don’t take away from meaningful conversations.

Our social media marketers at FiG believe this is a great feature that can really help brands reach the right people at the right time. And we believe that the hilarious ad that introduced this feature is equally as brilliant. We aren’t the only ones who loved it – responses from around the world show just how powerful these types of ads can be.

Work With a Top Social Media Agency in Denver

If you’re interested in partnering with a social media agency in Denver, reach out to us at FiG Advertising + Marketing. Our team is proud to employ rigorous social media listening strategies to always stay on top of trends and maximize engagement.

Whether you need assistance with paid or organic social media management, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our approach to social media marketing in Denver.

 

Watch the original interview here.

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