Grandma’s ‘Happy’ With Over 250K Instagram Followers!

Photo courtesy grandmabetty33, Instagram
The latest social media  viral phenomenon is coming from a Kentucky grandmother and her great grandson via Instagram.
Instagram-ma, social sharing and creating a buzz takes on a whole new meaning when this adorable grandmother dances to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song.  While the song was performed live at the recent Oscars, I think Grandma Betty is getting even more playtime across the airways! The dynamic duo have taken social media by storm, and the 80 year-old, Betty Simpson, has a whopping 295,656 followers and growing on Instagram.

Watch Grandma Betty Dance!

Get ready to smile….

This Internet sensation is a branding dream come true. So did it happen?
The story began with Simpson’s great-grandson, 18 year-old Zach Belden, who decided he wanted to make an Instagram account for his great-grandmother so that she could keep her family in the loop in regards to her battle with lung cancer.
What happened next is what created the huge leap in followers for Simpson, who began to post ‘selfies,’ and videos, including her ‘Happy’ dance. Williams caught wind of the dancing grandmother to his song, and invited people to follow her in Instagram.

How is that for engagement?

This is a time when a feisty grandmother with a zest for life comes together with her technically adept great grandson who together reach out through the ether with a story that’s bound to connect the world with a happy and heartwarming story.
Combine that with Pharrell Williams noticing and getting involved.  If that isn’t evidence that we are now the media, I don’t know what does.

Think about it – Could this have happened even five years ago?

As brands and marketers, we can learn a lot about this inspiring story –  that the human side of us is always going to connect with audiences, especially if it is something to relate to and have fun with.
Another lesson learned for those individuals who are not adopting social media for their businesses and are poo-pooing it as children’s play.  While Grandma Betty’s grandson is the one who initiated this heart warming outcome, that same grandson is someone who will turn to the ‘new media’ for decision and buying decisions in the future.  It’s a whole new world out there!
Guess who’s at the cancer doctor eating blue candy? @MileyCyrus has nothing on #GrandmaBetty

Over and beyond anything social media oriented, last but not least, we can learn how to live every day to the fullest and to ‘be happy’ no matter what the day’s circumstances may bring!
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• How this grandmother got over 250,000 followers on Instagram – Click to Tweet
• Have you seen this grandmother dancing on Instagram yet? – Click to Tweet
• @SusanGilbert shares a social media success story on Instagram – Click to Tweet