Reports of individuals and companies making huge mistakes on social media are nothing new, with examples of ill-advised statements, poorly conceived campaigns, and downright stupid comments all commonplace.

However, few would expect a  high-flying executive for Twitter to make such a glaring howler.

Despite professional digital marketing agencies helping small businesses, larger corporations, and celebrities formulate their news feed content, mistakes from personal accounts are still quite regular. This is the situation that Anthony Noto appears to have found himself in.

Twitter’s very own chief financial officer had intended to send a direct message to a fellow colleague working for the social media platform. However, proving that mistakes are very easy to make unless focus is complete, Mr Noto instead sent the message publicly.

It was not the most embarrassing tweet on a personal level, but, perhaps even worse, it was all about his desire to acquire an as yet unnamed firm. This is of course no great surprise, with Twitter aggressively buying out companies exploiting the platform in clever and innovative ways.

However, on a corporate level, it is extremely poor practice. Unsurprisingly, the tweet was deleted as soon as the error was realised. That did not stop it being picked up by the great and the good on the platform though.

The message soon went viral, reading:

“I think we should buy them. He is on your schedule for Dec 15 or 16 — we will need to sell him. i (sic) have a plan.”

Twitter lit up with people speculating over which firm Mr Noto was referring to.

At the time of writing, no further or comprehensive details had come to light. Sites such as the Justin Bieber-backed Shots and Mic, which had seen Mr Noto follow several accounts recently, were the most talked about.

Richard Bell

Richard has a First in English Literature and Creative Writing, and has experience writing fiction and short stories (which he has published both online and in magazines).