Kiteforum.com

What up with their ads with Che? "Join the revolution"

Do they not know the revolution that Che was part of had a negative impact on cuba?

No it is meant to be negative on CUBEN fiber.

Seriously, it's very typical of American marketing to romanticize a symbol an apply to marketing without understand the full context and sensitivity such a symbol may have elsewhere.

Sometimes good ideal ultimately go awry... e.g. Fidel... Shining Path, etc. But should check out the movie Motorcycle Diaries.

I think all Cubans should be really upset at the gratitous use of the che guevara image. Fidel must be having nightmares.
Finally, I think the U.S. should put an embargo on WW just like they have on Cuba. No more kites until they give up their comunist ideals!

I thought it was funny...

I was in Thailand in 03 and ran into a boy with a picture of the twin towers on his t-shirt with the words "america under attack!". What some people find humorous, others will find insensitive and hurtfull. In todays super-charged and confused political/climate climate, WW should error on the side of caution and discontinue t-shirt.

Cheers

First time I saw it I wonder why the hell are they doing this crap. They should put an image of the kite up and stop the bullshit. We all have had enough bullshit for one summer!!! Tell us about the kite.

You say you want a revolution
Well ya know we all want to change the world
But when ya talk about destruction don't ya know that you can count me out
Don't ya know everything is going to be allright

Damn I wish there was some wind

Anyone remember the Taco Bell Dog, that was aslo a Che image and lead to a sucessful ad campain. I think the WW ad is less offensive than a little dog with a hat.

I would agree that he is not a postive historical figure, but I would bet that most americans have no idea who he is and if they do its from the motorcycle dairies.

Here we are talking about an ad and WW. I guess the ad worked.

They haven't changed it yet. I don't think they are idiots. They just don't know what a good ad is. The kite could be nice? And you correct I don't know who that guy is? I just know we don't like him.

Will the ad hurt sales? doubtfull. Is it a socially/politically responsible use of advertising? No. I wouldnt harp on this subject in times past, but advertising today, and especially in the US, has become far too invasive and irresponsible. But, the masses care not, so...

They must have chose Che because he presents a more youthful figure than the bespeckled Trotsky and overweight Mao.