Nike’s ‘Betsy Ross’ sneaker, Amazon exec’s viral clapback and an influencer tirade
If you’re not sure why a consumer might be offended at your product line or messaging, start with the diversity represented on your team.
Good morning, PR pros:
Wikipedia’s co-founder, Dr. Larry Sanger, issued a challenge to stop using social media for 48 hours on July 4-5. The call to action is a protest against social media platforms’ data collection practices, but you might want to use this time to take a much-needed digital detox.
Here are today’s top stories:
The sneakers featured the “Betsy Ross” United States flag (with 13 white stars in a circle) and were scheduled to go on sale this week. Nike spokesman Colin Kaepernick advised the company not to sell a potentially offensive product and Nike pulled them before the launch.
Why it matters: On Tuesday, “Nike,” “Colin Kaepernick” and “Betsy Ross” trended on Twitter as social media users weighed in. Ultimately, Nike acted on Kaepernick’s concerns to distance itself from ties to racism and white nationalism, highlighting the crucial role diversity can play in marketing decisions. Make sure your team has a range of experiences and backgrounds to avoid unintended blowback.
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