33 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
33 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is Publicity from "Hitler" and Offensive Names Worth Pursuing?

by kindsvater
29 replies
I was reading the story below on Yahoo about someone in India who created a clothing store named "Hitler" and who claims he did not know who Adolf Hitler was.

Plausible, until the story said the Nazi swastika was included as part of the store's logo.

Aside from the problem he now wants to be paid to change his store name, before he goes out of business for lack of business, he is attracting worldwide publicity.

Is any publicity always good publicity?

Would you sell an offensive product, even if it was a short-time deal, to cash in the publicity?

It is something I have thought about, but decided the risk to merchant credit card processing and web hosting was not worth it, as vague prohibitions against "offensive" services are typically listed in TOS.

'Hitler' clothing store stirs anger in India - Yahoo! News

.
#hitler #names #offensive #publicity #pursuing #worth
  • Profile picture of the author chungacreative
    Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

    I was reading the story below on Yahoo about someone in India who created a clothing store named "Hitler" and who claims he did not know who Adolf Hitler was.

    Plausible, until the story said the Nazi swastika was included as part of the store's logo.

    Aside from the problem he now wants to be paid to change his store name, before he goes out of business for lack of business, he is attracting worldwide publicity.

    Is any publicity always good publicity?

    Would you sell an offensive product, even if it was a short-time deal, to cash in the publicity?

    It is something I have thought about, but decided the risk to merchant credit card processing and web hosting was not worth it, as vague prohibitions against "offensive" services are typically listed in TOS.

    'Hitler' clothing store stirs anger in India - Yahoo! News

    .
    Personally I wouldn't do this but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
    Signature

    Make a commission on your own gas and electric bill. Private message me for more info.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886563].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

    Plausible, until the story said the Nazi swastika was included as part of the store's logo.
    Actually, the swastika symbol has been used in Indian religions for thousands of years. That said, I'm not buying the storeowner's ignorance of Hitler.

    Frank
    Signature


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886587].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

      Actually, the swastika symbol has been used in Indian religions for thousands of years. That said, I'm not buying the storeowner's ignorance of Hitler.

      Frank
      If I remember right, the 'arms' on the religious symbol are a mirror image of the swastika. One points clockwise, one counterclockwise.

      I'm not buying it, either.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886631].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

    Would you sell an offensive product, even if it was a short-time deal, to cash in the publicity?
    Depends on what kind of clientele you want to attract.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886630].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author brazosbelle
    No, I would never promote a product that had any connection to something offensive or dark. I just think if you try to make money off of something like that,
    the karma comes back to bite you.

    I would prefer to promote things that make a positive impact on society and
    that helps people.

    Just my feelings,
    Patti
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886687].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnpea
    Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
    Signature
    Watch me doing it properly at last....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886728].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by johnpea View Post

      Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
      They probably changed it in order to protect the innocent.

      Terra
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887124].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author alistair
      Originally Posted by johnpea View Post

      Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
      Here's one -

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887157].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
      Originally Posted by johnpea View Post

      Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
      If I remember correctly some of Hitler's relatives (who shared his
      surname) moved to America. They changed their surnames
      though, for obvious reasons.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6888127].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
      Originally Posted by johnpea View Post

      Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
      All of the remaining family members changed their names. The only people with that name now are people that have changed their own as a tribute. Most of those people aren't able to find anybody to procreate with, so the chances of the name surviving are slim.
      Signature

      Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6888259].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dv8domainsDotCom
    I think in this case, the sting is just too deep worldwide, and therefore the fame turns to infamy.

    The fact that his business is failing has (probably in this case) nothing to do with being famous or infamous. It's entirely possible that the clothing line just flat out SUCKS and isn't worth buying under any name (Hitler or otherwise).

    And what is our lesson children?

    You can have ANY amount of traffic (as this clown proves) and if your product, message or service sucks, you will not have buyers.
    Signature
    Support a Warrior, Save Money!
    Rock Bottom Prices on Domains and Website Hosting
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886747].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author andybeveridge
    Attention you would get but look at the amount of people who would be seriously offended. I am a firm believer that you can't please everyone and nor should you try, but what is the real point to attracting the kind of person who might come knocking if you promote under what most of us would consider evil?
    I think if something is fictional it is different but too many people still feel the pain of Hitler's ruling years.
    Signature

    Become a Digi Warrior and join us in the successful Dig Warrior IM Academy
    Join us at www.digiwarrior.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886749].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
    Hitlers antics killed 2.8m Polish people amongst causing untold misery throughout Europe, I hope this guy goes bust. Talk about controversial.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886761].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ursa Anzur
    Agreed. I think that the name "Hitler" will always be associated with the most hated figure in history (as far as we remember it).

    I think the guy shoot himself in the foot by creating this clothing line, even if he can get a few purchases, he can never make the company big, even if he is only selling in India (not worldwide).

    Also, I can hardly believe that he never heard of who Hitler was and selling swastikas at the same time.
    Signature
    The Future of SEO - Build Your Brand and Improve Your Rankings!


    Imagine Having The Power To Turn Leaving Visitors Into Buyers!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886770].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tim3
    Good grief! whatever next?

    Pol Pot's Haberdashery
    Stalin's Home n' Wear
    Jewellery by Idi Amin

    Sheesh....
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886788].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    What an idiotic name to use for a business! Get real
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886818].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    I think it depends. FCUK is a global brand, and although it isn't actually a rude word it's pretty clear what made it. Same with United Colors Of Benneton, they ran some pretty egdy ads that plenty of people found offensive but gave them massive publicity. I think it depends on who you're trying to market to.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886833].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      The impression left of the "didn't know" combined with a swastika is either the store owner is a liar or he's stupid. Neither one is a good business model.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Live life like someone left the gate open
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886855].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
      Originally Posted by alistair View Post

      I think it depends. FCUK is a global brand, and although it isn't actually a rude word it's pretty clear what made it. Same with United Colors Of Benneton, they ran some pretty egdy ads that plenty of people found offensive but gave them massive publicity. I think it depends on who you're trying to market to.
      Theres a difference Alistair between a swear word and someone who killed millions of people and who tried to take over our country, give your head a shake!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886861].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    This is Hitler, man....not some mischief maker!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6886877].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

    Theres a difference Alistair between a swear word and someone who killed millions of people and who tried to take over our country, give your head a shake!
    That's a fair point but the op is talking about using offensive names or products for publicity, not asking for a debate on the rights or wrongs of Hitler.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887095].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
      Originally Posted by alistair View Post

      That's a fair point but the op is talking about using offensive names or products for publicity, not asking for a debate on the rights or wrongs of Hitler.
      Ah, fair enough then. Thought you were trying to justify this idiot calling his shop Hitler. Seriously, I hope he goes bust. He knew exactly who he was.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887150].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by johnpea View Post

        Surely Adolf can't be the only person in the world with the surname Hitler - where are all the others?
        When I moved away from Nebraska, the little town I lived near had one Hitler, Adolf listed in the phone book. I never met the man, but I wanted to slap his parents anyway...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887182].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          When I moved away from Nebraska, the little town I lived near had one Hitler, Adolf listed in the phone book. I never met the man, but I wanted to slap his parents anyway...
          Oh dear, that poor lad has to go through his whole life dealing with that. I would have rented a tank and drove it into their house to make a point.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887199].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    the saying "no press is is bad press" or "there is no such thing as bad press" isn't true just ask lindsay lohan.

    Definitely not worth pursuing, I don't think I would open up a store called KKK on the South side of Chicago anytime soon
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887285].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IMSince2003
    Controversy creates publicity which creates sales. You need to get into the minds of your audience and walk a very thin line. Many controversial ads flopped because they went too far over the line. In this case, I think we know that he went too far over the line. Also, controversy and traffic does not make sales if your product stinks in the first place (as was pointed out earlier).
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887371].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    Why not sell a new drink called Genocider? People will love that!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6887390].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Speaking of toxic names, there was a kid in my grammar school named Richard Head. Talk about dopey parents, huh?

    Okay, back on topic. I watched a weird documentary about six months ago were they were asking kids in their early teens about Adolph Hitler. These were kids in free countries the world over.

    I think they asked six of them and only one knew that he had something to do with "some war." Ugh. The rest didn't know. One thought it was an American rapper. Don't they teach this stuff in history anymore?

    As for any publicity being good publicity, I don't think so. Especially something like this. This guy might be getting lots of attention globally but I doubt he's getting much business from it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6888413].message }}

Trending Topics