Electronics giant LG has set off a social media storm on Facebook by urging BlackBerry users and employees to use its devices to “write a eulogy” to the embattled Canadian smartphone maker.
“Write a eulogy for your BlackBerry on your new LG G2’s beautiful 5.2” full 1080HD display,” LG’s post says.
Unfortunately for the Korean electronics firm, its stunt backfired as hundreds of BlackBerry users flooded the comments with praise for the Canadian smartphone maker while questioning the quality of LG products.
“I own an LG Optimus G Pro and while I like the phone, this ad by LG is childish. I’ve owned a Curve and Both models of the Torch and all of my devices were solid performers! After seeing this ad, I may very well switch back to BlackBerry and pick up a new Z30,” one user says.
“Sell your equipment. Don’t take shots at other companies. Why would someone with a BlackBerry want an LG?” says another.
Many of the comments also describe LG’s products as being imitations of similar devices from Samsung.
“Give me one benefit that LG had over BlackBerry. At least BlackBerry phones have many unique advantages that no other company can claim. LG is just a Samsung copycat,” one angry user says.
“Listen up u [sic] wannabe Galaxy 4 wannabe, don’t ever compare urself [sic] to BB, ain’t no one talking about LG, and even if blackberry doesn’t make a comeback, LG is still a crappy phone, #blackberryForLife,” another says.
LG’s Facebook post is all the more tasteless because BlackBerry recently began a program that will see it cull 40% of its worldwide workforce, or around 4500 jobs.
The Canadian smartphone maker has also signed a letter of intent for a $US4.7 billion takeover bid by led by investment tycoon Prem Watsa, following a quarter that saw it post $US1 billion in losses.
Earlier this week, the Canadian company took out a full-page ad in 30 newspapers across nine countries, in a bid to reassure its customers and business partners about its ongoing viability.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
