The news, around Simu Liu's critique https://lnkd.in/gbv3aYGe of a bubble tea company on Dragons' Den Canada, blew up. Really blew up. With coverage from TMZ all to way to NBC News, it's very much, not the PR the company wanted. It is, however, a sharp reminder of how much your brand can be shaped or bent by public opinion. The discussion will continue for a few more days until the next bit of news inflames people. I've been asked my own opinion on cultural appropriation. I can't speak on behalf of all Asians or anyone else who may be offended now or in the future. But I do know marketers and creative people continue to be challenged in finding the right place on the dial of what is appropriation and what is inspiration. Our work is often finding the right degree of different or tweaking a previous idea enough to uniquely call it our own. In the end, it will be the market that decides if you've successfully pulled it off.
I was going to ask on our next call… thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. I thought Simu went too far.
battle-proven entrepreneur | corporate maverick | R&D guru | GTM'er | engineering geek | startup generalist
2moI couldn't believe what I was seeing. Especially coming from a Canadian with Chinese heritage who got his big break playing a South Korean. What special right does he have that I do not, to decide what is or isn't appropriation? Did he questioned how the Chinese felt that a Canadian played Shang-Chi, with over 720M male to chose from in China? Is it his heritage? If so, then ouch...this would a very slippery slope. This list of misappropriation would be endless. Freedom of expression has very few barriers, and appropriation is and should not be one of them. As far as branding, marketing, advertising and al., I can't comment since the target is continually moving. CBC knew very well this would happen. Not so impartial or careful after all.