A major, major @Xbox leak was handled masterfully on social in the middle of the night.
Let's look at how Xbox made several viral moments out of a bad day thanks to some memes, quick thinking, & a big company that's agile enough for fast approvals.
Thread
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Let's look at how Xbox made several viral moments out of a bad day thanks to some memes, quick thinking, & a big company that's agile enough for fast approvals.
Thread

11:30 pm EDT: THE SITUATION
We've known Xbox will release 2 new consoles this year, but only the Series X was confirmed - we had no details on the 2nd console.
Then Series S images leaked. 1st look at console, 1st next gen price point. Major deal. Hit tech blogs immediately.
We've known Xbox will release 2 new consoles this year, but only the Series X was confirmed - we had no details on the 2nd console.
Then Series S images leaked. 1st look at console, 1st next gen price point. Major deal. Hit tech blogs immediately.
2:07 am EST: XBOX'S QUICK MEME
The first @Xbox reaction came 2.5 hours later in the middle of the night: the Awkward Look Monkey meme. No copy. Just a hysterical head nod to the leak.
21,000+ RTs. 139,000+ likes.
You gotta love it. Before confirming, they earned viral lulz.
The first @Xbox reaction came 2.5 hours later in the middle of the night: the Awkward Look Monkey meme. No copy. Just a hysterical head nod to the leak.
21,000+ RTs. 139,000+ likes.
You gotta love it. Before confirming, they earned viral lulz.
3:13 am EST: XBOX CONFIRMS
Less than 4 hours after a huge leak, @Xbox confirms the name, design, and price point with a promo shot + copy that hits the leak. At 3 am. Props to Microsoft moving so quickly.
Love the special text to emphasize Ëąá”á”ËĄËĄá”Ëąá”, a key sales point. https://twitter.com/xbox/status/1303230071033880576
Less than 4 hours after a huge leak, @Xbox confirms the name, design, and price point with a promo shot + copy that hits the leak. At 3 am. Props to Microsoft moving so quickly.
Love the special text to emphasize Ëąá”á”ËĄËĄá”Ëąá”, a key sales point. https://twitter.com/xbox/status/1303230071033880576
3:13 AM EDT: MORE INFO SOON!
Whether an announcement is planned or rushed from leak, every social reply always asks more questions.
@Xbox hitting the leak, promising info soon (better than saying nothing), & following w/
is a good shot to stop Qs so people just celebrate.
Whether an announcement is planned or rushed from leak, every social reply always asks more questions.
@Xbox hitting the leak, promising info soon (better than saying nothing), & following w/


12:34 pm EDT: PROPER REVEAL
You got the late night meme.
You got the even later confirmation.
Gotta do the big, sexy CG video.
At a much more reasonable hour today, @Xbox tweeted the below. Your more standard reveals always necessary still. Dig the emojis for features. https://twitter.com/xbox/status/1303371127482232834
You got the late night meme.
You got the even later confirmation.
Gotta do the big, sexy CG video.
At a much more reasonable hour today, @Xbox tweeted the below. Your more standard reveals always necessary still. Dig the emojis for features. https://twitter.com/xbox/status/1303371127482232834