After cutting ties with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, Adidas now plans to sell its stock of unsold Yeezy shoes and donate the proceeds to charity.
Click here to read the story at npr.org.
Discussion Questions:
- What is inventory?
- Why is inventory management important to a retailer like adidas?
- Why do they have so much Yeezy inventory?
- What is influencer marketing?
- What is publicity?
- Why did adidas end their relationship with Ye?
- How might this story demonstrate the risks brands might be taking when aligning with an influencer?
- Do you think, in most cases, the risk is worth the reward when it comes to influencer marketing? Why or why not?
- Why do you think adidas is donating the proceeds of the sale of its Yeezy inventory to charity?
- What type of publicity might that generate for the brand and why might that be important?
- What is cause marketing?
- Is cause marketing the same is philanthropy? Why or why not?
- Do you think the decision from adidas to sell its Yeezy inventory and donate the proceeds to charity represents an example of cause marketing or is it purely philanthropic? Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.