Uh-oh!
Nine West is under fire after releasing a controversial marketing campaign late last week.
One of the ads read “Anticipatory walk of shame” with a woman carrying flip-flops and a handbag, while another one features leopard print heels with the words “Starter Husband Hunting.”
Consumers immediately began sharing their disappointment with the new campaign on Facebook.
“Stupid campaign 9W. Love your shoes but don’t patronize your customers by an outdated ideal,” said one Facebook user. “Women are hunting success and goals, dreams and visions. Not husbands.”
Another outraged user posted, “Apparently, your marketing team must be comprised of misogynists.”
Erika Szychowski, the senior vice president of marketing for Nine West, mentions that the ads take on a traditional strategy of suggesting occasions for shoes, but with an extra added flair.
“We have to change the way we talk about occasions because women are modern now and shop for a different reason,” Szychowski said. Styles in “Starter Husband Hunting,” for instance, might once have been called night-on-the-town shoes, she said.
On the other hand, some consumers found the ads funny and clever.
“I love love love your new campaign ad,” one Facebook user shared. “It’s very funny I can relate to it especially when I was in my 20’s to early 30’s. Man I swear I messed up some Nine West heels having a night on the town with the girls.”
What do you think?
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