RadioShack may seem like a relic of the past, but this week the company was the subject of conversation for eyebrow-raising reasons.
Drew Angerer | Getty Images
In what initially appeared to be an apparent hack, the electronic company’s Twitter went viral for posting some highly questionable and highly off-brand Tweets, including references to sex acts, drugs, and a range of celebrities and businessmen, including Elon Musk.
Super villains create a balance in any ecosystem. The next time you’re in the shower, remember to cry and suck your thumb because RadioShack was mean to you on the internet.
— RadioShack (@RadioShack) June 24, 2022
Gm gm leeettssss get ready for RRRUUUMMMMBBBLLLEEEEEEE
— RadioShack (@RadioShack) June 28, 2022
It’s a bold move for Radio Shack who: filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in both 2015 and 2017 before it was finally acquired by Retail E-commerce Ventures two years ago. The company had reportedly seen negative sales since 2012, prior to one of the filings.
Amid the firing of various vulgarities, RadioShack dropped a hint in a June 27 Tweet as to whether the switching of social media content was done on purpose.
RadioShack Execs: We need a concise marketing plan with tangible KPIs to enable healthy growth in our ecosystem
Radioshack intern: Hold my beer, okay, listen to me
— RadioShack (@RadioShack) June 27, 2022
The post concluded that the idea of obscene Twittering was brought to the company by an intern as a way to generate more business growth and development.
As of Friday afternoon, the company had more than 336,000 followers, and one of the account’s most viral tweets received more than 38,000 retweets.
Another post joked that the Tweets author was doing this to promote a new crypto-based platform that Radio Shack had created, but the fake link just took users to a meme about Jesus.
We are currently building a crypto-based subscription service similar to OnlyFans.
We’re only in beta, but take a look and let us know what you think so far: https://t.co/1Iap0VnZtO
— RadioShack (@RadioShack) June 26, 2022
However, the crypto concept was not a farce.
RadioShack has promoted (on purpose or not) the launch of RadioShack Swap, a crypto exchange platform managed through a separate app. The electronics giant has also created its own coin that will trade under the crypto token symbol $RADIO.
“Our mission is to be the first protocol to bridge the gap to mainstream use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies,” the company wrote†
Company first announced plans to launch Swap last December, reportedly gathering a waiting list of interested crypto traders seeking access to the platform at launch. The coin itself was valued low at $0.05 early Friday afternoon.
The retailer’s mysterious Tweeter appeared to be in a fiery mood ahead of the holiday weekend, according to a Tweet early Friday afternoon.
Some people think beer is disgusting, and so do I after 15.
Good morning. Happy Friday.
— RadioShack (@RadioShack) July 1, 2022
“Some people think beer is disgusting, and so do I after 15,” the message said bluntly. “Good morning. Happy Friday.”
There are still about 5,200 Radio Shacks operating across the country, per CNNincluding hundreds locations in Florida and the Midwest.