1 hr ago
Converse CEO Promises Review After Controversial Ad Backlash
Converse made an advertisement for its shoes that upset many people.
Some viewers thought a white garment looked like a Ku Klux Klan hood.
They also thought the shoes and the image’s shadows suggested someone being hanged.
Converse removed the image after people raised concerns.
The company also apologized publicly.
CEO Aaron Cain told employees that the advertisement should not have been used.
He said Converse would examine how advertisements are reviewed and make needed changes.
The controversy comes while Converse is already trying to improve its sales performance.
Converse CEO Aaron Cain said the company will review its internal processes after criticism of a recent advertisement.
Critics said imagery in the Chuck 70 X campaign evoked the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.
The disputed image showed a person in a white garment holding shoes, with lighting and shadows drawing criticism.
Converse removed the image from its channels and apologized publicly, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
The backlash adds pressure to Nike-owned Converse, which has reported 13 consecutive quarters of revenue contraction.
- Who
- Converse CEO Aaron Cain, Converse, and critics of the advertisement.
- What
- Converse removed and apologized for an advertisement criticized as evoking the Ku Klux Klan and lynching, while pledging to review its internal processes.
- Where
- The advertisement appeared in Converse’s channels and drew criticism online.
- When
- The advertisement was recently criticized; Cain’s employee memo followed the backlash.
- Why
- Critics interpreted the garment, lighting, shadows, and shoes as references to racist imagery and hanging.
Critics’ View
Converse’s Response
Meaning of the Advertisement
Critics’ View
Critics said the white garment appeared to resemble a Ku Klux Klan hood and that the shoes evoked a person being hanged.
Converse’s Response
Converse did not defend the imagery; CEO Aaron Cain said the images should not have been used.
What Should Happen Next
Critics’ View
The backlash raised concerns about the company’s advertising review process and its sensitivity to racist imagery.
Converse’s Response
Cain said Converse would take a hard look at its internal review process, make necessary changes, learn from the incident, and do better.
Key facts
- Company
- Converse, a Nike-owned footwear and apparel brand
- CEO
- Aaron Cain
- Campaign
- Chuck 70 X
- Controversial imagery
- A person wearing a white garment and holding a pair of shoes
- Company response
- Converse removed the image, apologized publicly, and promised to review its internal processes
- Recent performance
- Converse has experienced 13 straight quarters of revenue contraction
- Nike response
- A Nike representative declined to comment
Quotes
Aaron Cain
CEO of Converse
“The images should not have been used, and we began removing them from all channels as soon as the concern was raised. The leadership team and I are taking a hard look at our internal review process and the critical lens we apply to our work.”
livemint.com
“We will learn from this, make needed changes, and do better.”
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
Target Halloween Costume Backlash Highlights Global Brand Controversies
Target Pulls Children’s Halloween Costume After Blackface Backlash
GIVA Withdraws Rakshabandhan Ad After Backlash Over Kriti Sanon's Outfit
Why Indian Brands Keep Capitulating to Advertising Outrage
Giva Withdraws Raksha Bandhan Ad After Social-Media Outcry
GIVA Withdraws Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan Ad After Backlash
Global roundup: Drone shootdown, visa rulings and UPI charges
Bhagwat Presents RSS as India’s Inclusive Civilisational Movement
Tash Aw on Epic Storytelling and Asian Narratives
