Eli Blumenthal

USA TODAY

Following Wednesday's announcement of new data plans and higher prices Verizon took the logical next step of trying to advertise its latest offers.

The nation's largest wireless carrier brought in celebrities like LeBron James, Jamie Foxx and Selena Gomez for short video spots to be shared on social platforms like Snapchat and Twitter. On Thursday, the company also bought the #IGotVerizon trending topic on Twitter in a bid to raise awareness.

Verizon's new plans raise prices for more data

Some used the hashtag as the company intended.

But as can be expected when a company raises their rates, however, the internet wasn't pleased and quickly took over the hashtag bemoaning the company for its already high rates and data caps.

And Verizon's rivals got in on the bashing too with the CEOs of Sprint and T-Mobile, both very active on the social network, sharing their thoughts on Verizon's plans yesterday.

For its part Verizon feels its new plans have been getting an undeserved bad rap.

"Unfortunately recent headlines have misrepresented our new plan and app as a price hike, which is completely inaccurate," said Kelly Crummey, Verizon's director of communications in an email to USA TODAY. "The price per GB of data has decreased, by as much as $17.50 for the S size plan. We’re bringing together options customers want in a new plan with more value and new features, a new app that puts customers in control, all on the best network."

As of this writing the company was still using the sponsored trending topic in the United States.

Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal