Archive for January, 2010
McDonald’s Under Fire Over English Language Misstep.
January 25th, 2010
The lead story in a major media outlet in the UK, Skynews, features citizen outrage against McDonald’s. Skynews reports that a single word in a McDonald’s ad has provoked incensed debate and outcry. It is not an insulting or offensive word, and looks like a perfectly innocent choice by McDonald’s. But online chat rooms are buzzing with indignation.
Where Google went wrong with China
January 21st, 2010
As this blog demonstrates, global brands sometimes shoot themselves in the foot because they do not take local culture difference and sensitivity into account.
However there is such a thing as being TOO oversensitive.
Google’s strategy in China has been to portray the brand as completely Chinese. This “when in Rome do as Romans do” tactic has now gravely backfired.