This week’s Twitter fight between The Weather Channel and Fort Worth City Council member Joel Burns has sparked a social media love fest for all things Fort Worth.
On Twitter, people are posting their favorite scenes of Cowtown with the hashtag #ThisIsFortWorth.
The social media saga started when that it should stop showing photos of Dallas when giving the Fort Worth forecast on its weather app. (Fort Worth is always concerned about Dallas getting all the attention.)
Dear I SWEAR I'm deleting your aggravating app if you don't STOP SHOWING DALLAS pics for Fort Worth
— Councilman Joel Burns (@JoelBurns)
The Weather Channel responded, referring to Burns’ efforts to stop bullying. ()
Sorry to see you go. Good luck on ending bullying.
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel)
The response ignited a social media storm, with Twitter users calling out The Weather Channel for being snarky. Burns followed up by asking The Weather Channel to donate money to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and the Trevor Project.
The network eventually issued an apology.
Then something interesting happened. After the social media storm came a deluge of beauty shots of Fort Worth on Twitter. A Twitter hashtag -- #ThisIsFortWorth – started popping up as people posted pictures of their beloved city.
Here’s a sampling of what people are posting this week:
Ҵǰdzܲ“: I love that you're showcasing our city! ”
— Councilman Joel Burns (@JoelBurns)
— Marc Istook (@MarcIstook)
you can confuse Fort Worth with any other city but Dallas
— Lydia (@_theltrain)
aka HOME!
— Outlaw_D 🏴☠️ (@outlaw_d)
— Amy Vi (@tresgreen)
Heard y'all were interested in some photos
— NoSleepMe (@Mhwilsonrn)
Great pics! “: ”
— Councilman Joel Burns (@JoelBurns)
Loving all the photos! Keep 'em coming! Cc MT “: ”
— Fort Worth (@VisitFortWorth)
Burns has been featured on the front page of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and on websites across the country. He’s been complimented endlessly online about sticking up for his city – and for conducting a successful social media campaign.
Burns is a big fan of the pictures going around on Twitter. He's hoping to get even more exposure for Fort Worth – from The Weather Channel, of all places. He wants host Sam Champion to do the weather from Fort Worth. Burns extended an invitation – on Twitter, of course.
Open invite: RT: Love to have you come do in Fort Worth
— Councilman Joel Burns (@JoelBurns)