Converse Pauses Marketing After Ad Sparks Racism Outrage

Converse paused all paid advertising and social media activities after a marketing campaign for the Chuck 70 X sneaker, a collaboration with K-pop artist Karina, sparked public outrage. Critics stated the advertisement, which featured a person in a white garment holding black sneakers, evoked imagery of lynching and the Ku Klux Klan.

CEO Aaron Cain apologized for the imagery and informed employees that the company hired an external third party to review internal processes. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned the campaign and requested a meeting with executives from Nike Inc., the parent company of Converse.

The controversy arrives as Converse faces a prolonged sales decline, with revenue contracting for 13 consecutive quarters. Nike CEO Elliott Hill is currently attempting to revive growth across the parent company before a first-quarter earnings report scheduled for October 1.