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A writer and artist complained on Twitter about tableware company Pourtions' product. Macy's then dropped the plates, but the publicity has ended up driving sales skyward. (pourtions.net/Screen grab)
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There’s no such thing as bad publicity — especially when it’s a tempest in a small-sized teapot.
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The dishware was sold at U.S. department store Macy’s.
Science/comedy podcast host and writer Alie Ward’s mood was soured when she saw Pourtions novelty plate which measures portion sizes. “Mom jeans,” “favourite jeans,” and “skinny jeans,” read the offending plates.
Alie Ward sent out a viral complaint on Twitter to Macy’s after she saw a novelty plate that left a bad taste in her mouth. Macy’s promptly dropped the plates. (Alie Ward/Twitter)
Armed with her Twitter blue check-mark badge, the self-righteous scold snapped a photo of the offending plate she attached to a tweet: “How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states?”
A mob of 50,000 petulant peeps showed her tweet some love.
A spineless Macy’s promptly dropped the plates.
Ward retweeted another blue-verified Twitter scold pleased the plate was banned and accusing it of “casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming.”
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Macy's has removed plates advocating portion control from their stores after many people spoke out on Twitter, arguing that they were "casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming."
“As the creators of Pourtions, we feel badly if what was meant to be a lighthearted take on the important issue of portion control was hurtful to anyone,” tableware company president Mary Cassidy told the Toronto Sun. “Pourtions is intended to support healthy eating and drinking.”
Cassidy says that although Macy’s severing ties was a major loss to their year-old family business, overall sales have nearly quadrupled since, with many people ordering the offending plate.
The jump in sales is undoubtedly from Ward’s tweet backfiring. The controversy of Macy’s dropping the tableware resulted in many reports from major outlets like the Washington Post, TMZ, Time, USA Today and others.
Free advertising — likely worth millions — that was gravy for Pourtions.
“I think there is a portion of the population that looks for reasons to be slighted,” said Cassidy. “The response has been overwhelmingly supportive and positive toward our product and brand.”
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