Urban Outfitters: Shameless Publicity or Sheer Ignorance?

This week, clothing retailer Urban Outfitters released a new product for sale on their website that instantly went viral… and not in a good way. For only $129, you could purchase this one of a kind, vintage-inspired Kent State University tie dye sweatshirt, complete with authentic looking bloodstains:

Unfortunately for those of you with questionable taste, the item has since sold out, but don’t worry because this isn’t the first time Urban Outfitters has tried to market something offensive, and it probably won’t be the last. Here is another controversial example from them back in 2012:

In this case, Urban Outfitters was peddling a $100 vintage-inspired Holocaust t-shirt. Seriously?

This begs the question: Is this shameless publicity or sheer ignorance? Personally, I hope that this is another case of complete ignorance, as it would obviously be an outrage to capitalize on such tragedies like those of the Kent State shooting and the Holocaust. What’s next? A Virginia Tech sweatshirt with manufactured “bullet holes” in it for added authenticity?

Ignorance has been the supposed culprit of a few other failed marketing attempts in recent weeks. For example, the Malaysian Airlines “Bucket List” campaign (did anyone over there consider that a bucket list is something you want to do before you die?!) or the new logo for Vietnamese fast food chain Bahn Shop featuring a bright red star reminiscent of the Communist regime, launched by the same organization that owns Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut (you’d think someone in a company that large would know better?).

It seems as though when organizations make marketing mistakes they at least try to rectify them by removing the ad, logo or campaign in question, issue apologies to stakeholders that have been offended, and attempt to move forward with more care. Urban Outfitters however, continues to deliver products that push the envelope, and it makes me wonder if this is a deliberate attempt at publicity. Here are a few more controversial products from Urban Outfitters (13 to be precise), and you be the judge.