Bad PR for Target, Good PR for H.O.P.E


Hillary ClintonNo sooner do I post a blog on how to recover from bad publicity, only to have Target give us a casebook example of corporate dufus-ism. They better keep donating to the schools, because they just royally ticked off a big part of their target market.

Regardless of your political opinions, Hillary bashing has been so blatantly sexist and frankly I’m tired of it! Even after she conceded, misogyny just doesn’t want to rest. It’s like every speck of advancement we’ve made as a society when it comes to gender equality has taken a big Howard Stern-Rush Limbaughesque neanderthal stride backwards. OK, I’m getting my opinion out here, but even level-headed me is getting bugged by this.

What’s the ruckus? Target is selling a Father’s Day card that makes a sexist reference to Hillary Clinton. Someone from the organization Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), a non-partisan group that advocates for greater involvement of Latinas in the political process, caught sight of the card and urged the organization to issue a press release a few days before Father’s Day.

I seriously doubt a similar item referring to Obama being African American or something about McCain (the POW card?) would have passed the design review team.

Here’s the score:

TARGET: You’re so busted. You need to issue a public statement on this.

HOPE: You’re putting yourself even more in the spotlight for taking a stand during a tumultuous time in history. Leverage this!!


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About Nancy Marmolejo

I'm a soul-driven strategist who teaches entrepreneurs how to turn followers into fans and fans into clients using social media and heart based marketing. My approach integrates proven strategies and intuitive hits so each client finds her special way to stand out and sizzle in the spotlight.

  • http://www.MyFamilyDoctor.com/blog Leigh Ann Hubbard

    I have looked all over for an image of this card online and can't find one. All I can find are the HOPE claims, which portray the card as sexist but then say that all it actually says is having Clinton as president (no mention, seemingly, on the actual card, about her being a woman) is scarier than raising children. They could have put that on a Mother's Day card just as easily.

    To me, it sounds like it's focusing more on conservatives' dislike of Clinton than on her being a female. Maybe I'm being naive or am just plain wrong since I haven't actually seen the card. But you're right; it would be nice if Target would put out an easy-to-find statement clearing this up. I wonder if the statement being circulated has been cut (not by you; it's all I've seen elsewhere, as well). It seems like they should be saying more than that.

  • http://thrivingandtranscribing.com Diane

    If they are doing this to Hillary, think of what the media, etc are going to do re: Michelle Obama — here is link to media watch for Michelle Obama

    http://whataboutourdaughters.blogspot.com/2008/06…

    Dianes last blog post..Virtual Job Fair for Virtual Assistants

  • http://www.VisionForSuccess.biz Ali

    These are such historical times, that we need to consciously choose what position to take in the spotlight of history so tha we can shine with it. However, things are only going to get hotter, so for those who can't stand the heat…..get out of the proverbial kitchen!