When the internet got a first glimpse at Apple’s new bagel emoji without cream cheese, to say it was lackluster would be an understatement. We immediately mobilized and engaged cream cheese fans to express their outrage. The (schmear) campaign came to symbolize all that was wrong with grocery store bagels, and we demanded a do-over.
Our first stop was to tweet at Apple and the Unicode Consortium about the issue. We then posted a Twitter poll that got 13,000 votes, but most importantly showed that 82% of voters were on our side — in favor of adding cream cheese to the emoji. Finally, we went directly to change.org and started a petition.
Within 10 days, Apple bowed to our collective pressure and updated the bagel emoji to include our favorite spread. “Finally the internet was happy again and we ensured future generations wouldn’t have to look at a sad, dry bagel,” the Philadelphia brand said in a statement.
Hey @Apple and @Unicode,
— PHILADELPHIA (@LoveMyPhilly) October 4, 2018
Your new bagel emoji definitely needs an upgrade. Don’t worry, we’ve fixed it for you. You’re welcome. #WheresThePhilly #ItMustBeThePhilly pic.twitter.com/1hiMEywH2P
Hey @Apple and @Unicode, so glad you realized what everyone else knows: a #BagelEmoji can’t exist without cream cheese. We want to help you celebrate the update. DM to tell us when we can deliver breakfast. pic.twitter.com/ApaI0G5a0h
— PHILADELPHIA (@LoveMyPhilly) October 16, 2018
The new #bagelemoji is a #sadbagel. Sign the petition and help us change this travesty with a schmear of cream cheese. https://t.co/371JXvS5yW pic.twitter.com/oXlt6zkyET
— PHILADELPHIA (@LoveMyPhilly) October 5, 2018
After complaints, Apple has replaced its bagel emoji with a new design that includes cream cheese https://t.co/9lKMCf3aLa pic.twitter.com/NSiwZ4Idx7
— Emojipedia 📙 (@Emojipedia) October 15, 2018
We think that a #BagelEmoji without cream cheese is a #SadBagel, what do you think? #ItMustBeThePhilly
— PHILADELPHIA (@LoveMyPhilly) October 4, 2018
Hooray! Bagel lovers everywhere united and convinced @Apple to turn the plain #SadBagel into a delicious #HappyBagel and we are celebrating. #ItMustBeThePhilly
— PHILADELPHIA (@LoveMyPhilly) October 16, 2018
Press Coverage
- Change.org: Get cream cheese added to the bagel emoji
- Emojipedia: Apple Fixes Bagel Emoji
- Eater: After Internet Outrage, Apple Adds Cream Cheese to Bagel Emoji
- NBC News: Schmear campaign? Apple adds cream cheese to bagel emoji after uproar
- People: The New Bagel Emoji Now Has Cream Cheese on It, the Internet Rejoices
- Food & Wine: Apple Realizes the Error of Its Ways, Gives Us the Bagel Emoji We Deserve
- The Verge: Apple fixes its new bagel emoji with cream cheese and a doughier consistency
- USA Today: Brouhaha averted as Apple adds cream cheese schmear to its bagel emoji
- USA Today: Where’s the cream cheese? Apple leaves it off bagel emoji
- Fortune: It’s a Schmear Job: Apple’s New Bagel Emoji Brings Purists’ Tempers to a Boil
- Us Magazine: Apple Adds Cream Cheese to Bagel Emoji After Receiving Complaints, Twitter’s Still Skeptical
- New York Post: Apple fixes pathetic bagel emoji to meet New York standards
- Delish: UPDATE: Apple Added Cream Cheese To The Bagel Emoji
- Thrillist: The Internet Forced Apple to Fix Its Horrible Bagel Emoji
- CNET: Apple fattened up its bagel emoji and now people are happy
- Cult of Mac: Our long national nightmare of ‘bagelgate’ is finally over
- Daily Mail: ‘Bagelgate’ is over! Apple finally fixes its bagel emoji by adding cream cheese and more life-like texture
- Flipboard: Where’s the cream cheese? Apple leaves it off bagel emoji
- Vogue Australia: Have you heard about the great bagel debate taking over Twitter?
- Metro: Apple adds cream cheese to bagel emoji after everyone complained
- Fox News: Apple fixes ‘terrible’ bagel emoji design after social media outrage
- Dlisted: Apple Gave Into Complaints And Changed The Bagel Emoji
- The Takeout: Apple will add cream cheese to previously pathetic bagel emoji
- Metro: PHOTOS: Apple Emoji update includes a llama, skateboard and some bagel drama
- Stars and Celebs: Jeremy Burge, Chief Emoji Officer at Emojipedia addresses bagel emoji issue
- The Sacramento Bee: Apple adds cream cheese to bagel emoji after plain one was called ‘a monstrosity’
- PureWow: The New Bagel Emoji Now Has Cream Cheese, Because Hangry People Will *Not* Be Silenced
- Hello Giggles: Apple made a major change to its bagel emoji after mass protest
- Apps To Follow: Apple Makes the Bagel Sad By Taking Off the Cream Cheese
- Muse by Clio: How Philadelphia Cream Cheese Helped Fix the #SadBagel Emoji
- WPVI: Petition calls for Apple to change the bagel emoji
- KIIS FM: The Petition Worked: Bagel Emoji Now Has Cream Cheese
- WLOX: Apple changes the design of its new bagel emoji after social media outcry
- WKRG: Apple changes bagel emoji after complaints
- KYWTV: Apple Updates Bagel Emoji To Have Cream Cheese After Outcry On Social Media
- WISC: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- WHDH: Apple changes design of new bagel emoji after social media outcry
- WSLS: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- CBS42: Apple changes bagel emoji after complaints
- KXMD: Bagel and cream cheese lovers rejoice — Apple has changed its bagel emoji
- WPLG: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- KVIA: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- WFLA: Apple changes bagel emoji after complaints
- KHNL: Apple changes the design of its new bagel emoji after social media outcry
- KRDO: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- KYW: Viva la bagel: Apple adds cream cheese to bagel emoji after social media outcry
- KAPP: Apple relents, adds cream cheese to bagel emoji
- Rochester First: Apple changes look of bagel emoji after social media complaints
- 13 News Now: Where’s the cream cheese? Apple leaves it off bagel emoji
- Energy 106: Apple Changes Bagel Emoji After Receiving Complaints
- com Australia: Apple updated its bagel emoji after backlash
- Froot!: Finally a solution: Apple and the notorious bagel emoji controversy
- Irish Examiner: Apple adds cream cheese to its plain bagel emoji following outcry
- So Yummy: 8 Food Emojis That Have Caused Severe Controversies
- Her Campus: Apple Added Cream Cheese To Their Bagel Emoji Because They Have Standards
- The Jewish Week Food & Wine: Apple Adds Cream Cheese To Its Bagel Emoji After Complaints
- The Jerusalem Post: Apple edits bagel emoji after outcry
- The Times of Israel: Apple adds cream cheese to its bagel emoji after complaints
- Vos Iz Neias: Apple Adds Cream Cheese To Its Bagel Emoji After Complaints
- Trib Live: Apple adds cream cheese to the bagel emoji
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Apple adds cream cheese to its bagel emoji after complaints
- Forward: The Controversial Bagel Emoji Is Finally Here
- My Jewish Learning: Apple’s Upgraded Bagel Emoji is Still the Saddest Carb Ever
- 3uTools: After Internet Outrage, Apple Adds Cream Cheese to Bagel Emoji
- iWorld: Where’s the cream cheese? Apple leaves it off bagel emoji
- linustechtips: Apple releases one of their most important updates this year, the new Bagel Emoji with Cream Cheese
- TechPocket: Critics can’t stomach Apple’s bagel emoji without cream cheese