Walgreens Pulls “Offensive” Obama Product

by lisa ~ April 9, 2009

Joseph Enterprises, maker of the much-maligned Chia Pet, may not replicate its success with The Clapper by bringing out the Chia Obama, a terra cotta figurine that grows hair. Walgreens was test marketing it in Chicago and Tampa but it will now be removed, according to the Chicago Tribune. A spokesperson for the drug store chain called it “offensive,” saying it was dropping the product “because it didn’t fit with our corporate image.”

Although out of stock, Joseph Enterprises intends to sell the bust through Amazon.com, where it retails for $19.45, as well as drugstore.com and chiaobama.com.

Although I wonder who within Walgreens authorized the purchase of the Chia Obama in the first place, it seems to be an ill-advised move. And, frankly, it’s a silly product. It’s certainly not so outrageous as to call for boycotts and picket lines of either the retailer or the marketer.

Besides, when contrasting Joseph Enterprises’ product with the news station in Turkey on which an anchor in blackface reported on Obama’s European visit, its shock value disappears.

To read the complete article, “Chia Obamas in Walgreens? No, they can’t,” click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-obama-chia-petapr08,0,456812.story

Lisa Tibbitts is a New York-based corporate communications professional with an MBA in marketing. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FinancialPR.