AT&T's attempt at acknowledging the anniversary of the Sept. 11 with a tweet and Facebook post using the phrase "never forget" may be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Like many brands, AT&T made the decision to join the social media conversation about the anniversary, but it did so by including a picture that looked a little too much like product placement. Here is a screengrab of the tweet, which has since been deleted:

The tweet was widely criticized and lampooned:
@ATT How dare you?! You're using this tragedy to ADVERTISE? GFY.
— Joe Manna (@JoeManna) September 11, 2013
#NeverForget... That AT&T is having a sale on #Smartphones! (with a 2-year contract). @ATT
— Spencer Hicks (@SpencerLenox) September 11, 2013
We've reached out to AT&T for comment about their thinking for the 9/11 post and will update when we hear back. The company did however post an update on Twitter apologize to anyone who was offended by the original tweet:
We apologize to anyone who felt our post was in poor taste. The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy.
— AT&T (@ATT) September 11, 2013
While AT&T's 9/11 post appears to be the most criticized, many other brands attempted to be part of the conversation around the anniversary with mixed feedback:
We'll never forget. #neverforget #September11 http://t.co/hMj3psXQzr
— Boar's Head (@Boars_Head) September 11, 2013
#NeverForget
— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) September 11, 2013
Never Forget. (Image used courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard, photo by Public Affairs 2nd Class Mike Hvozda) pic.twitter.com/zgdgih5Jbz
— Smith & Wesson Corp. (@SmithWessonCorp) September 11, 2013
#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/fbVPP1hUlJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 11, 2013
Do you think these efforts are appropriate? Share in the comments.
Image: AFP/Getty