3 branding lessons from the rise and fall of Ken Bone

The internet celebrity quickly endeared the hearts of presidential debate viewers, but his fall from grace provides valuable PR and marketing lessons.

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Ragan Insider Content

Internet stardom can be a double-edged sword—for both individuals finding their 15 minutes of online fame and the brand managers who ride their coattails.

Ken Bone, who posed a question in the presidential nominees’ town hall on Oct. 9, instantly became a hit with online audiences and publications—as well as with journalists, PR pros and marketers.

Fortune reported:

The tweets and memes rolled in. Bone became an internet-era celebrity, literally overnight.

By Monday, he was making the major-media rounds, including a remarkably savvy and funny appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live (the show will apparently be inviting him back).

Buy a one way ticket to the #BoneZone. Join the movement at https://t.co/WKSP0GROhK pic.twitter.com/25xBkN9CSv

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