# Post-Severance Burger Deals Burger King's #WhopperSeverance Gives a Free Burger to Fired Employees By Joey Haar | Published 2017-08-30 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whopperseverance References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/just-get-fired-prove-it-on-linkedin-and-burger-king-will-give-you-a-free-whopper/) & [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/fired-recently-burger-king-will-give-you-free-whopper) Getting fired from a job is among the worst things one can experience over the course of their career, but Burger King is hoping to make it at least a little more palatable with its new #WhopperSeverance campaign. The social media campaign, which focuses on [LinkedIn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavor-filters), gives people free Whoppers if they've recently been fired. The connection for Burger King comes from the preparation technique for its burgers. Whoppers are famously fire-grilled, so the fast food restaurant chain thought to extend the fire metaphor to another area. By posting "I got fired. I want a free Whopper. #WhopperSeverance" on Linked In, users get an email link that lets them apply for their Whopper Severance package. The campaign is a creative way to make use of the professional networking platform, a space where advertising is typically geared toward career-oriented products and services. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Creative Social Media Campaigns:** The #WhopperSeverance campaign by Burger King showcases the trend of using social media platforms creatively to engage with customers and build brand loyalty. - **Incorporating Brand Messaging in Unconventional Ways:** Burger King's #WhopperSeverance campaign demonstrates the trend of incorporating brand messaging in unexpected places, like providing free burgers to recently fired employees. - **Using Humor to Navigate Sensitive Topics:** The #WhopperSeverance campaign highlights the trend of using humor as a way to address sensitive topics, such as job loss, in a lighthearted and engaging manner. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food:** The fast food industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by using unconventional marketing strategies, such as offering free products to specific customer segments. - **Social Media Marketing:** The social media marketing industry can capitalize on the trend of creative campaigns like #WhopperSeverance by helping brands create engaging content and build meaningful connections with their audience. - **Professional Networking:** The professional networking industry can identify disruptive innovation opportunities by allowing brands to leverage their platform for unique advertising campaigns, like Burger King's #WhopperSeverance on LinkedIn. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Comical Love-Inspired Food Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-loveinspired-ads.md) - [Post-Partum Meal QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bundles-of-joy.md) - [Glitchy Burger Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-glitch.md) - [Free Vegan Fast-Food Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whopper-swapper.md) - [Hungover Diner Discounts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-brazil.md) - [Burger Launch Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smokeshack.md) - [Hangover-Themed Burger Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carls-jr-and-alix-earle.md) - [Backyard Barbecue QSR Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbq-brisket-whopper.md) - [Fast-Food Anniversary Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-food-anniversary-promotions.md)