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ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2018

Eataly Ad Criticized For Message About Italians

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
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Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

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An Eataly advertisement which reads "Bring Home An Italian - Worth the Smell," has gotten some negative attention for its messaging about Italian people.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Jeffrey Greenbaum
Jeffrey Greenbaum
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An Eataly advertisement which reads "Bring Home An Italian - Worth the Smell," has gotten some negative attention for its messaging about Italian people.  The ad, which promotes white truffles, is part of a larger advertising campaign referencing Italians, with headlines such as "Bring Home an Italian - Great Legs, Better Body" and "Bring Home and Italian - The New Hunk in Town."   

This controversy is an important reminder that it's not only legal issues that can get advertisers into hot water.  If an advertiser is perceived as furthering negative stereotypes, the backlash could be significant. 

* * *

I find the ad's wording to be somewhat offensive, in that it seems to provoke or imply an underlying negative image of Italians

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