The American Family Association has written a letter which is making the email rounds; I have received it twice this week. Because I work part time at Hechts Department store (a part of the Mays chain of stores) where I was hired as a fragrance specialist for the evening shift, I was made keenly aware of the following info when this product came into Hechts in mid September. Thankfully, after heavy local opposition, Hechts Bellevue Center was told to remove this product.
When you read the following letter from The American Family Association, you will know why so many people are up in arms over the latest fragrance marketing strategy. Please note: some of the wording will be rated R for language:
Dear Friend of the Family,
USA Today recently reported that a group of retailers will soon begin selling new fragrances named FCUK Her and FCUK Him in their stores.
The United Kingdom-based apparel company French Connection Group (which operates under the acronym FCUK, for French Connection U.K.) is producing the new fragrances.
A $10 million marketing campaign built on the theme “Scent to bed” will push the fragrances toward teens. They will be advertising the product in teen-oriented magazines.
***LET THESE RETAILERS KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! GO TO:http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/alert/?alertid=3477551&type=CU and send an e-mail.
Go to the site www.scenttobed.com and you will immediately see the question, “Where the fcuk are you?”
Here are some other examples:–In a previous campaign, invitations for a New York party were shaped like hotel doorknob hangers and read “FCUK in progress.”
–A holiday promotion for the fragrances calls for stores to issue “License to FCUK” cards, which include a code to enter at scenttobed.com for a chance on a trip for six to Club Med and a list of “best pick-up lines.”
Some stores have refused to join the campaign, but many are eagerly joining with the hopes of making millions by exploiting our children.
[Go to: www.afa.net/petitions/email/fcuk_stores.html to see a list of participating stores.]
SEND AN E-MAIL LETTING THESE STORES KNOW OF YOUR CONCERN.http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/alert/?alertid=3477551&type=CU
(Your message will route through our AFA Action Center to each of the stores listed.)
Please forward this email to just one friend. It is time to stop the exploitation of our children!
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and ChairmanAmerican Family Association
Hechts Bellevue Center (Nashville, TN) received the FCUK products in mid September and immediately began receiving complaints. The cosmetic department staff was told to turn all complaints over to a manager or to refer calls to the corporate office at 703/524-5100. Within two days the store manager had all the product pulled from the counters and hidden in drawers while awaiting a final decision from corporate. The decision was not long in coming but was not the result many would have hoped for. While all FCUK product was pulled from Hechts Bellevue Center, the clerks were told it would be boxed up to ship to another store, probably out of state.
It is the opinion of many that the product will not do well in the Bible Belt, but that in other areas the FCUK campaign may do quite well unless opposed. It is obvious that the many voices heard in the Nashville area resulted in the removal of the FCUK product from store shelves, but the silent majority will have to speak up loud and clear to have this campaign defeated in other areas.
