CNN acquires leading Twitter account

CNN gained nearly a million Twitter followers on Wednesday when it acquired the @cnnbrk Twitter account.

The account, the largest on Twitter with more than 947,000 followers, had been maintained and nurtured by James Cox. CNN did not disclose financial details of the acquisition, probably because rules at the microblogging site prohibit the selling of Twitter accounts.

The acquisition comes as the race to 1 million Twitter followers heats up. As of Wednesday afternoon, Ashton Kutcher was in second place with 917,000 followers, followed closely by Britney Spears, who has about 913,000 followers.

Kutcher publicly challenged CNN to a race to 1 million users on Tuesday in a video posted to Qik.com.

"I found it astonishing that one person can actually have as big of a voice online as what an entire media company can on Twitter," Kutcher said. "And so I just thought that was just kind of an amazing comment on the state of our media, and I said that, if I beat CNN to 1 million viewers, then I would ding-dong ditch Ted Turner--because I don't think it's gonna happen."

CNN accepted Kutcher's challenge Tuesday on the "Larry King Show."

Kutcher, who is best known as star of TV's "That '70s Show" and husband of actress Demi Moore, has said he will donate 10,000 mosquito bed nets to charity for World Malaria Day if he is first to 1 million followers.

Meanwhile, game publisher Electronic Arts is getting in on the action, promising to put Kutcher's 1 millionth follower in a future EA game and give that person a copy of every game EA produces in 2009--but only if Kutcher beats CNN to the million-follower mark.

Ashton Kutcher campaigns for 1 million followers on his Twitter page.

(Credit: CNET)

[eltoro2827]

ashton kuther reminds me of that brown stuff that ends up in the toilet when my stomach hurts.

[DavyBoyWonder]

Sounds like some stupid publicity stunt.

[ca5ter]

Twitter is dumb

[lonestarState]

Is this type of gossip crap news worthy? What is the difference between this garbage and the TMZ news.

[loose_screw]

Stupid.

[iertry]

I don't think it is that stupid. It shows the power one individual can have on the web is just as much as the power a massive media company like CNN has.

[amsoell]

Sure... when that "one individual' is Ashton Kutcher.

[meznor]

Here's a thought: Let's all follow http://twitter.com/twitter - they have about 780,000 followers right now. Let's beat both Ashton Kutcher AND CNN.

@meznor

[Seaspray0]

tweems like not alot of tweple are not showing twoo much intwest in twis story.

[ppratik96]

From what I see CNN only has 979,183 followers and Ashton has 977,507 so none of them have made it too a 1,000,000 followers!

[MeaghanOlson]

I use Twitter in my personal life as well in some marketing campaigns for different services and products I'm working on.

Twitter is about being in tune with people and news. It's a fantastic way to introduce your brand identity and get to talk to folks on a real level.

Twitter is mobile and it works with me and helps me get news instantly.

I use Twitter for this site http://www.totalbankruptcy.com and I use it personally. Here's my personal account. I'd be happy to show you around on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MissDeFacto

[melba29]

i have a comment but its not about ashton..........I would like to know why wouldn't someone, some type of media or high position authority figure don't do something about the corruption in Rikers Island? I feel they need to look in, and report a full investigation into the staffs. From correction officers right back to sargeants and captains. Even a full investigation into prisoners fights and or property.

[melba29]

I want to know how can I get someone to look into this situation?