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Published
May 1, 2015
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H&M makes a lightning faux-pas

Published
May 1, 2015

It can happen to anyone, and it does happen to everyone, but when it comes to advertising, sometimes it makes us wonder, is it a marketing gimmick or just an oversight.

In this case, for now at least, we can’t know.

H&M


Until recently, H&M had a t-shirt for sale on its online site that quoted Thomas Edison: "Genious is one per cent inspiration and ninety nine per cent perspiration".

A great, inspiring quote, but with obviously one ironic problem.

There are quotes where the spelling doesn’t matter because the message prevails, and maybe the underlying idea was that here, but the fact remains that there was an obvious spelling mistake on this T.

For those who haven't seen it yet, genius does not have an "o".

The t-shirt had apparently been available online on H&M’s website since 28 March but it was only recently that it was taken down.

Which also make us wonder, who is looking at what is being sold? From the person who gave the go-ahead (and there must be more than just one person in control of what goes out there) to the seller (just wanting to push the product) to the buyer (who trusts their brand and doesn't think twice), how did that 'o' get in there and why didn't anyone notice it sooner? 

According to the American press, the Swedish retailer has refused to comment.

So, was it just an oversight or a marketing gimmick that didn’t go the distance? 

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