Converse suspends marketing after ad imagery resembles KKK robes

Converse has suspended all marketing activities for the week after a promotional campaign for its Chuck 70 X sneaker sparked widespread public outrage over imagery resembling the Ku Klux Klan. Bloomberg News reported the operational halt, citing a person familiar with the decision.

The controversial advertisement featured the lower body of a person wearing a mid-calf white garment that critics compared to a KKK robe while holding black sneakers. Created in collaboration with Karina from the K-pop group Aespa, the campaign drew a backlash last week, prompting Converse to pull the material and issue a public apology stating, “nous nous sommes trompés.”

Congressional Response and Corporate Pressure

The fallout drew the attention of federal lawmakers in the United States. In a statement released on Monday, the Congressional Black Caucus announced it was deeply troubled and disappointed by the campaign and planned to request a meeting with executives at parent company Nike.

Neither Nike nor Converse responded immediately to requests for comment from Reuters regarding the marketing suspension. The crisis arrives as Converse struggles through a prolonged sales slump, having marked 13 quarters of revenue declines, including a 34 % drop at constant exchange rates during its fourth quarter.

Broader Challenges for Nike Leadership

The marketing misstep compounds significant headwinds for Nike ahead of its first-quarter earnings report scheduled for next week. Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill faces mounting pressure to reverse the company’s fortunes as investors search for clear signs of recovery. Nike shares have fallen more than 40 % this year as leadership attempts to restore growth following a nearly two-year turnaround effort.