I just happened to stumble upon an interesting debate today while casually glancing through my Twitter feed. I happened to notice that Marie Claire was a trending topic. I thought to myself, "That's weird - do people even read that magazine anymore?" And more importantly, "What's going on there that's such big news?"
It appears a blogger at Marie Claire posted an article titled, "Should 'Fatties' Get a Room?" Sure, even at first glance of the headline this article is already pissing off readers. Well, I don't want to get into that. Agree or disagree, this could turn out to be one brilliant stunt. Sure, Marie Claire may still have subscribers, but are they as in as Elle, Glamour, or InStyle? I don't even know if I've noticed Marie Claire in the checkout aisle at the grocery store in recent months. This really got the internet marketer in me thinking...
Can you remember the time you last saw even one of your favorite brand's as a top trending topic in the world on Twitter? Just in the time I've spent writing this post (about 20 minutes) the mag's Facebook page has gained 15 fans. Even if they only "liked" the page to be able to protest on the Wall - they're still "fans." Imagine the gigantic spike in traffic their website is seeing today. Just think, if they're selling ads on their website based on impressions the page gets- Marie Claire may have hit the jackpot. Sure the brand will have to bounce back and spin it "PR style" but I know one thing for sure... Marie Claire magazine isn't dead...
Again- NOT condoning the content or point of view of this article. I just want to wait and see how this faux pas can affect their overall brand and reputation. In the age of Twitter where news is instant, the brand really needs to step up to the plate and address the situation before it gets really out of hand and they can't recover from a reputation perspective.
I challenge you to think beyond the content of the now infamous blog post - What's your take on this? Not on the hatred and disgusting display of insensitivity, but if it truly is just a PR stunt - brilliant or belligerent?
4 comments:
I'm perfectly willing to accept that I may be wrong, but I don't think it's a pr stunt. For anyone who thinks Marie Claire gets no spotlight, I'd remind them of its involvement with Project Runway. I don't know if the show is as big as it used to be, but it's still there and still heavily tied in with the magazine.
Amanda - THANKS for sharing your view on this! I did totally forget they were associated with Project Runway. I stopped following the show after it went to Lifetime - just didn't seem as "high fashion" anymore to me.
Brilliant point, Mad Mom. For those of us obsessed with social media and how to come up with something new, this is an interesting, albeit kinda cruel idea. I wouldn't do it, or think of it for that matter, but it gets the marketer in me thinking. They say controversial is the ticket, right? Look at Howard Stern.
For the record, I love the show Mike and Molly! I got get over to that Facebook Page...
I think it was a stunt. She may believe some of it, but I feel the writing was very provocative and deliberately insulting. I had a physically angry reaction to it, and it seems a lot of other people did, too. So it did the trick. But I kind of hope it alienated as many readers as it attracted.
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