Gröna Lund faced backlash after posting a humorous image related to a high-profile cheating scandal involving tech billionaire Andy Byron. The amusement park later removed the image, acknowledging it was inappropriate. The incident highlights how various companies, including Ryanair and Ikea, have used the scandal for marketing purposes.
Gröna Lund Removes Controversial Image Amid Cheating Scandal
Gröna Lund Removes Controversial Image: "We Shouldn't Have Posted It"
Gröna Lund decided to joke about the week's big topic—a widely publicized cheating scandal. The post was later deleted.
"We are self-critical, and that's why we've now taken down the posts," says the amusement park's marketing manager Sebastian Delefors to Mitt i.
During a Coldplay concert last week, a couple in the audience appeared on a "kiss cam." Initially embracing, they panicked and hid their faces when both were caught on camera.
The couple, or "couple," turned out to be tech billionaire Andy Byron and his HR manager Kristin Cabot—both married to other people.
The cheating scandal spread worldwide, leading Andy Byron to resign from his CEO position at Astronomer.
Gröna Lund attempted to capitalize on the story.
Gröna Lund's Explanation
With a photoshopped image, they announced, "with a wink," a 50% discount on their so-called Gold Card and unlimited rides on the Love Tunnel all summer.
Who fittingly fronted the campaign?
Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot in each other's arms.
"Gröna Lund is a place for playfulness, and so are our digital platforms. Participating in various viral memes is not unusual for us, but we always want to do it with a wink," says marketing manager Sebastian Delefors to Mitt i.
However, the image was short-lived.
After Mitt i contacted the amusement park, the image was removed.
"Most of our followers seemed to understand our intention, and the majority of reactions were positive. That said, we shouldn't have posted the image of the individuals, which we are self-critical about, and that's why we've now taken down the posts," says Sebastian Delefors to the newspaper.
Ryanair's Harsh Joke
Gröna Lund joins a list of companies—including Swedish alarm company Safeland, airline Ryanair, Ikea in Singapore, and language app Duolingo—that have exploited the cheating scandal in their marketing.
Ryanair, known for its infamous policy of randomly seating passengers, often splitting couples unless they pay extra, wrote in a post:
"Ryanair 🤝 Coldplay, splitting up couples."