Tis’ the season for PR disasters, American department store Bloomingdale’s has launched a holiday catalog which encourages people to spike their best friend’s drink when they’re not looking. Ho Ho Ho, date rape joke.
Bloomingdale’s 2015 holiday catalog has been accused of encouraging men to spike the drinks of their female friends. The catalog image was uploaded to Imgur:
The company quickly went into panic mode, posting on Twitter and releasing a statement apologising for the picture:
“In reflection of recent feedback, the copy we used in our recent catalog was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdales’ sincerely apologizes for this error in judgment,” the retailer said.
We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes.
— Bloomingdale’s (@Bloomingdales) November 10, 2015
Twitter was unimpressed:
Bloomingdale’s creepy holiday catalog pic.twitter.com/8X2gDUyl0m
— Maximo (@maximosis) November 10, 2015
That Bloomingdales ad is horrific. How was that ever approved let alone thought of as a good idea?! Despicable.
— Kirby (@oc_11) November 10, 2015
Holy sh*t @Bloomingdales, what were you thinking?!?! #YesAllWomen https://t.co/b5cJ4lpSn0
— Niccole Rivero (@niccoleinDC) November 10, 2015
So @Bloomingdales – this looks awfully real… Comment please? “Spike your best friend’s egg nog…”??? pic.twitter.com/Y8dE1D2FNb
— joanna schroeder (@iproposethis) November 10, 2015
@Bloomingdales Astonished that ANYONE would think it appropriate. Hope contribution to women’s causes is made
— ShortCanuck (@ShortCanuck) November 10, 2015
.@Bloomingdales Pretty stunned that copy like that was even green-lit in the first place. I’m assuming it’s now being removed?
— Alex Genn-Bash (@mralexgb) November 10, 2015
@Bloomingdales I’m disgusted that this ad went to print without any type of sensitivity
— Kim Gerstman (@kgerstman) November 11, 2015
Or don’t and quit being a creep… #Bloomingdalespic.twitter.com/Liu8DKMMnP
— Kristen Alderson (@krisalderson) November 10, 2015
This PR disaster comes after Starbucks was accused of being satanic worshipers after releasing a Christmas cup without ‘religious’ symbols.
