Monday, September 21, 2009

first rule of marketing: know thy consumer


You'd think that China's BFF economic relations with Iran might entice Chinese marketers to better inform themselves about target audience.

The Guardian reports that a Chinese clothing manufacturer exported jeans to Tehran bearing the Islamic expression "In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. The phrase (Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim in Arabic) was prominently displayed on back pockets, which is seen as egregiously disrespectful by devout Muslims. According to an outraged Tehran blogger:
Allah is a respected word that you need to have ablutions before saying. Now it is embroidered on the sitting place of these jeans.

Police seized the garments and arrested three businessmen said to have imported them. The jeans, tailored for women, had sold for around $10-$12. Oops.

4 comments:

Beatriz said...

I'm sure the Iranians didn't find it funny (obviously) but it is. I know I've seen toys or different knick-knacks at Wal-Mart or the dollar stores that have hilarious misspellings in English! Jay Leno used to do a whole bit based on imported items from China. They need to send them back and ask for their money back but I do think it was unfair to fine the businessmen. If people bought or wanted the jeans it should be within their right to own them. Then again my lack of knowledge concerning Iranian laws is evident here because how they choose to monitor/govern their country's business is none of my business.

Unknown said...

Yes indeed...and you should also know that 'rooting' is a crass word for sex in Australian vernacular - so that's why childish snickers abound when you talk about 'rooting for' someone or have a root beer!

California Girl said...

I find what Kym says especially amusing.

btw, found Mad Men irresistible last week and puzzling this week. is it a device to keep us off balance or are the writers shooting their collective wad(s) so to speak and having little for follow up?

oh and, even in the Sixties, picking up a couple and then taking funny little red pills you'd never had nor knew what they were was pretty dumb. he'd be dead in this century. do I sound disappointed?

Haddock said...

Reminds me of the book "Blasphemy"