Quote:
Originally posted by robustpuppy
Right, but as SS pointed out, it's a different market. A Dr. Phil or Suze Orman book costs $20, and watching their shows costs nothing. Plus, people who watch Oprah believe they need to improve themselves and turn to her for tools to do so, so these people are seen as helpers. While she may influence purchasing, I don't think she could influence luxury purchasing via her audience to a degree so great that Hermes should be concerned. That said, she's got a lot of celebrity friends, as she so readily reminds everyone in her promos "MY friend Julia Roberts will be on the show Tuesday! Pictures from my friend John Travolta's birthday party on Wednesday!" So, if Hermes were to lose cachet among celebrities as a result of this, then they might have a problem. But if I were in Hermes PR, and if I were absolutely certain the facts would bear out no reasonable cry of racism, I would consider working other celebrities to counteract any Oprah effect, rather than kissing her continually fluctuating in size butt.
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I disagree. I think the goal of almost every upscale store is to sell to the middle class, while keeping their upscale credentials intact. Making every housewife feel like they are unwanted in their stores and not good enough for their product with one hand, while selling them thousands of dollars worth of crap they can't afford and don't really want with the other is the trick. You fuck with that formula (and Oprah can, by telling them that they, like she, is
actually not wanted in their stores), they've got a serious problem.
And God forbid there is real racism behind it. Just picture Joan Rivers asking someone is their scarf is Hermes on the red carpet and then making a joke about it. PR cancer.*
TM
* No, not "Puerto Rican" cancer, Paigow.
