Design

A Kettle? Hitler? Really?

Observer of Culver City, CA billboard says JC Penney advertisement image resembles Nazi madman.

Published

11 years ago

May 29, 2013

Steve Aust Signs of the Times May 2013 Issue

In today’s media saturated market, advertisers must mind every detail. The slightest imperfection or misinterpretation could lead to a media frenzy. This Culver City, CA billboard for JC Penney serves as a case in point. According to one observer, who posted photos on social-media site Reddit that quickly went viral, the kettle’s position resembles Adolf Hitler, the German Nazi dictator whose violent domination of Europe precipiated World War II. For the full story, click here.

JC Penney has taken a financial beating, as now-deposed CEO Ron Johnson’s misguided plan to eliminate sales and transform store layout led to repated quarters of double-digit-percentage sales decreases. So, a negative firestorm of publicity probably wasn’t their goal. However, those who subscribe to the notion that there’s no such thing as bad publicity might view it as an opportunity.

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