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Retailmemes

These Brands Totally Won the Internet With the ‘Damn, Daniel’ Meme

By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
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By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 23, 2016, 1:51 PM ET
Vans Women's Collection Ambassador Cocktail
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 04: A general view of atmosphere at the Vans Women's Collection Ambassador Cocktail at Pearl's Liquor Bar on June 4, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Vans)Photograph by Angela Weiss — Getty Images

A few savvy brands are hopping on the latest meme to sweep the Internet.

Over the last few days, a post featuring a student named Daniel has been making the rounds thanks in large part to the hilarious narrator. “Damn, Daniel,” he says repeatedly. “Back at it again with the white Vans!”

The video clip, which was posted on Twitter by user @josholzz, has exploded since being posted on Feb. 15. Indeed, it’s received over 290,000 retweets and 380,000 likes on the social media platform in a little over a week.

Check out the meme here:

https://twitter.com/josholzz/status/699432086965366784

Here are a few of the brands to capitalize on the interest, as first reported by Adweek. They include Axe, Clorox, Denny’s, and of course, Vans.

When you're done getting 'back at it with the white Vans'… | art by @MichaelCHsiung pic.twitter.com/9USszOI9a8

— Vans (@Vans) February 19, 2016

https://twitter.com/Clorox/status/700466448754466818/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

https://twitter.com/AXE/status/700778661184602113/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

*daniel pushes the eggs around on his plate, staring vacantly at them*
mom: daniel? what's wrong? you've barely touched your food, honey.

— Denny’s (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016

daniel: i don’t want to go to school today
mom: what’s the matter?
daniel: um…n-nothing
mom: and where are the new shoes i bought you??

— Denny’s (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016

daniel: mom, listen–
mom: no you listen, mister! you finish those eggs, put your new shoes on, and get to school before you’re late!

— Denny’s (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016

*daniel despondently complies*
daniel: mom please! why are you making me do this!!?
mom: you know why…

— Denny’s (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016

*she rips her mask off revealing her true identity: the friend from school*
daniel: no…it can’t be
mom: daaaaaaa—
daniel: noooooooo!!!!!

— Denny’s (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016

Interestingly, the meme has even caused the price of Van’s shoes to spike on eBay, according to Quartz.

Other brands that have recently capitalized on viral stories include Pizza Hut making fun of Kanye West’s recent money woes, and Red Lobster, which got a sales boost thanks to Beyonce’s mention of the brand in her latest single.

About the Author
By Benjamin SnyderManaging Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Benjamin Snyder is Fortune's managing editor, leading operations for the newsroom.

Prior to rejoining Fortune, he was a managing editor at Business Insider and has worked as an editor for Bloomberg, LinkedIn and CNBC, covering leadership stories, sports business, careers and business news. He started his career as a breaking news reporter at Fortune in 2014.

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