Ivey Business School (Canada)
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Paul Frank and Native American Stereotypes: A Case of Misappropriation
Stefanie Beninger; June N.P. FrancisCase IVEY-9B14A063-EMarketing, StrategyPaul Frank Industries (PFI), a privately held company based in the United States, finds itself in hot water after social media criticizes a Hollywood marketing event hosted by PFI in which Native American stereotypes were prominently featured. When photos of the event are released on Facebook, two bloggers bring attention to the event through their social media channels, and the reaction quickly spreads throughout the Native American community an...Starting at €8.20
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Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation: Balancing Politics, Business, and Culture
Julian Harrison; Stefanie BeningerCase IVEY-9B16M177-EStrategyIn March 2013, the chief executive development officer of the Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) was preparing a report on the findings and recommendations of the organization’s seven-year history. The HEDC, the economic development arm of the Heiltsuk Nation, was not meeting its goals. The HEDC structure was based on the theory that economic development success in Aboriginal communities required a separation of business from politi...Starting at €8.20
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Does Mattel's Iconic Barbie Doll Need a Makeover
Karen Robson; Stefanie BeningerCase IVEY-9B16A005-EMarketingIn 2015, almost 60 years after being introduced to the market, the Barbie doll was one of the world’s most iconic toys. However, both the industry landscape and consumer preferences were changing, and Barbie was yet again in the spotlight as consumers criticized the toy for providing a narrow and unrealistic vision of how women should look, how they should dress, and the careers they should pursue. Sales and public perception of the doll were bot...Starting at €8.20
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Gillette Takes a Stand: Toxic Masculinity and #thebestmencanbe
Stefanie Beninger; Karen RobsonCase IVEY-9B20A001-EMarketingIn early January 2019, Gillette, one of the world’s leading razor brands, ignited controversy with a specific advertisement—the “We Believe” video. This short film tackled toxic masculinity and encouraged men to be #TheBestMenCanBe. While Gillette historically focused on portraying men as athletes or as career-oriented individuals, the brand's promotions since the late 2010s had turned to a more diverse conceptualization of manhood. When launched...Starting at €8.20
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Lululemon Athletica's Product, Employee and Public Relations Issues
Stefanie Beninger; Simon Pek; Karen Robson; Adam J. MillsCase IVEY-9B14A039-EMarketingLululemon, a successful yoga and athletic apparel company, faced a number of controversies notably those surrounding comments made by the founder and regarding employee and public relations. Many of these controversies seem out of line with Lululemon's Manifesto, a one-page collection of sayings that guide the company's actions. These issues culminate with issues regarding one of their most popular products, resulting in a product recall in 2013....Starting at €8.20