KLM Offends Mexico With Dumb World Cup Tweet

Attention, #brands looking for some #socialmedia #engagement during the #worldcup, here’s something to add to your #bestpractices: maybe just don’t tweet ever.

First there was Delta Airlines’ giraffe gaffe, then there was Samsung’s Landon Donovan goof. Now, the Netherlands’ Royal Dutch Airlines (known by the initials KLM) is the latest company to have erred — this time with a tweet that many are calling racist.

After the Netherlands team secured a controversial last-minute victory over Mexico in the World Cup, the company tweeted “Adios Amigos! #NEDMEX” with a photo that featured a caricature icon of a mustachioed, Mexican man in a sombrero.

The tweet was deleted without apology or explanation after outraged fans began retweeting it in anger. Among the offended was Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who used some harsh language to criticize the airline and vow never to fly on it again.

Just as well KLM doesn’t fly to Mexico then, right? Er, wrong.