During a recent panel at the ASU+GSV Summit, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon mistakenly referred to artificial intelligence as “A1,” prompting the steak sauce brand A.1. to capitalize on the slip. The brand quickly shared an Instagram post featuring a modified label reading “For education purposes only,” with the slogan, “Agree. Best to start them early.” McMahon discussed integrating advanced technology in education and noted a school initiative ensuring early exposure to A1 teaching. The situation reflects how brands are eager to engage with trending moments on social media, as seen with A.1.’s creative marketing response.
- Secretary of Education Linda McMahon mistakenly referred to AI as “A1” during a panel this week.
- A.1.’s marketing team seized the moment.
- The brand designed a bottle with a new label: “For education purposes only.”
Linda McMahon likely intended to say artificial intelligence — but the steak sauce brand A.1. recognized a marketing opportunity.
After the Secretary of Education repeatedly mentioned artificial intelligence as “A1” at a panel earlier this week, the brand quickly capitalized on the slip-up.
“You heard her. Every school should have access to A.1.,” the brand noted in a Friday Instagram post, which featured an image of its bottle adorned with the new label: “For education purposes only.”
A bold tagline across the graphic read: “Agree. Best to start them early.”
McMahon made the error during her address at the ASU+GSV Summit, a conference focused on the future of education and work. The conversation took an unexpected turn.
“You know, AI development — I mean, how can we educate at the speed of light if we don’t have the best technology around to do that?” she stated. The former WWE CEO initially used the correct term for artificial intelligence but then shifted into the realm of condiments.
McMahon remarked about observing “a school system that’s going to ensure that first graders, or even pre-Ks, have A1 teaching ingrained every year.” She added, “That’s a fantastic initiative!”
“Kids are sponges. They absorb everything,” she continued. “It wasn’t long ago when we thought, ‘We’re going to have internet in our schools!’ Now let’s introduce A1 and explore how it can be beneficial.”
Neither McMahon nor A.1. responded to requests for comments.
The brand joins others in quickly capitalizing on fleeting moments of fame on social media.
Coffee Mate’s marketing team acted swiftly after the season finale of “The White Lotus,” crafting a semi-viral post that referenced a significant moment from the show.
The coffee creamer brand collaborated with the hit HBO series to launch two limited-edition flavors in anticipation of the latest season: piña colada and Thai iced coffee. An executive mentioned that they had no foreknowledge of piña coladas being featured in the show’s finale on Sunday night.