From "I'm a Snake" to Wendy's social media fame: an interview with Matt Keck
The human side behind famous viral social moments.
In this episode, we interview stand-up comedian and creative director Matt Keck to talk about the human side behind famous viral social moments.
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Although you may not recognize Matt’s name, you probably know him from two pretty well-known things:
First, he was an integral part of the Wendy’s Twitter account known for its witty voice, acerbic humor, and “burning” followers and the Cannes Lion-winning #NuggsForCarter campaign that taught social followers to ask brands to dare them in reward for freebies for life and broke the all-time retweet record.
And second, he was the creator of the “I’m a Snake” viral video-turned-meme that KnowYourMeme describes as:
a viral video featuring a man wearing a snake hat looking into the camera while saying, “I'm a snake. I’m a slithery little sneaky snake. I’m so slithery and sneaky cause I’m a snake.” The video first appeared online in 2010 and has since been featured on TV shows like Tosh.0 or referenced in other memes and videos, sometimes seen as a standalone catchphrase.
Beyond all this social goodness, Matt also lives in the same social media-focused world we all do. So we sat down and asked him some questions like, “HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR?” (Yes, Jenny really asked him that).
Tune in to see how he responded. What a great guy…
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🐍 Show Notes & Episode Overview
In this episode, Jenny, Greg, and Matt discuss:
The Dual Impact of Comedy and Social Media: Matt discusses how his comedic instincts and early adoption of social media platforms like Myspace allowed him to shape a unique public persona and engage audiences globally from his hometown in Kansas City, avoiding the need to relocate to traditional media hubs like New York or LA. And oh yeah, it pays the bills!
The Psychological Appeal and Challenges of Social Media: We talk about the psychological dynamics of social media, sharing how the platforms served as a great equalizer that brought his work to a broad audience, while also discussing the mental toll and the intense personal connection Matt developed with his work, especially during his time managing Wendy's social media.
Transition from Viral Sensations to Sustainable Creative Work: Reflecting on the evolution of his career, Matt talks about transitioning from viral internet fame to ongoing creative endeavors, including his stand-up specials and work in advertising, highlighting the delicate balance between leveraging viral moments and pursuing long-term creative satisfaction.
You can watch Matt Keck’s most recent standup comedy episode here (warning: NSFW!) and buy a Cameo from him with a custom “I’m a Snake” greeting here.
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Thanks and see you on the internet! 🚀
Jenny & Greg Swan