With so many high-profile celebrity deaths already this year, 2016 has forced the Internet to really perfect the way it mourns fallen icons.
There's the digging up of old archival footage, the run-downs of memorable moments, and the heartfelt tributes from other celebrities and anyone else who might have crossed paths with the star.
SEE ALSO:Crocs screws up David Bowie tribute in a big wayBut one of the less welcome parts of this outpouring of remembrance comes from the social media marketers of major brands, who seem to feel obligated to pitch in with product-placement condolences.
Music legend Prince's untimely death on Thursday was no different.
Tasked with keeping brands in the mix of any cultural conversation, marketers of all stripes blasted out (and in some cases, later deleted) their own purple-clad tributes to the beloved musician.
They weren't all greeted with derision of course. Minnesota-based companies, music brands and other businesses with a clear connection to Prince have a legitimate reason to speak on his death. And other brands were able to pull off subtle and thoughtful messages that didn't come off as exploitative.
But some brands seemed to be leeching on to a genuine moment of emotion for advertising purposes. Cheerios and alcoholic drink brand Four Lokos were among those that later thought better of posts and deleted them.
Here are some of the brands who paid tribute to Prince on Thursday:
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
(责任编辑：知識)
Balloon fanatic Tim Kaine is also, of course, very good at harmonica
#CarefreeBlackKids2k16 offers comfort in the midst of tragedy
'Evolve' goes free
Typhoon Nepartak slams Taiwan, threatens China with more floodingThis chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jumpMashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?
Summer is coming to a close and that means one thing -- last-minute vacations!
。SEE ALSO:'Ice Cream B
...[详细]Ball boy makes friends with Cristiano Ronaldo by crashing Portugal's team photo
Portugal's headed to the Euro 2016 finals, and this kid is headed into high-fives from all his frien
...[详细]
I guess Taylor is picking up the tab at the next squad night out. Pop queen and Grammy winner Taylor
...[详细]Teen discovers body in river while playing 'Pokémon Go'
A Wyoming teen was playing Pokémon Go near the Big Wind River Friday when she stumbled across
...[详细]Singapore gets world's first driverless taxis
SINGAPORE -- The world's first self-driving taxis started picking up passengers in Singapore on Thur
...[详细]#CarefreeBlackKids2k16 offers comfort in the midst of tragedy
The stream of police shootings replayed on social mediacan take a tollon one's mental health. With t
...[详细]Ball boy makes friends with Cristiano Ronaldo by crashing Portugal's team photo
Portugal's headed to the Euro 2016 finals, and this kid is headed into high-fives from all his frien
...[详细]Singapore's K+ is a celebration of fine local design
SINGAPORE -- The little red dot hasn't always been known as a hub of design talent, butstepping into
...[详细]Aly Raisman catches Simone Biles napping on a plane like a champion
Simone Biles is exhausted. She won five medals at the Summer Olympics in Rio, posed for selfies with
...[详细]Take a seat at New York's upscale cereal café
Breakfast cereal is an American staple, and now, thankfully, a high-end delicacy.In New York City's
...[详细]Hiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days
Introducing the most awkward three
