Duck Dynasty Going Down?

Now you would think we'd been paying attention here.  Haven't we learned from Paula Deen that hate just doesn't do well for your brand?  We've got yet another brand in crisis, stemming from "inappropriate" public comments.

Evidently the lead character, the Dad, from A&E's Duck Dynasty is quoted in an upcoming issue of GQ Magazine as saying some pretty nasty things about gay people.  He says he's spreading his "religious" beliefs and many are saying that he's entitled to do that.

Ok, the man's entitled to his opinions and beliefs but the rest of us don't have to buy them.  Or him.  His franchise has gotten huge, far beyond the television show with an entire lineup of products so these kinds of comments can't help but reflect on his (growing) brand.

A&E quickly responded by halting future filming, probably while they sort out a game plan.  Good move.  It'll be interesting what GQ has to say, now that his comments are causing quite the stir.  The issue isn't even out yet!

Fortunately, hatred doesn't sell and he's already trying to back track a bit.  The "back tracks" are always a bit comical, I have to say, because they end up digging a bigger hole IMO.  We saw that with Paula Deen, the CEO of Barilla, and sadly an even longer list of public brands that can't keep their personal comments to themselves and then "regret it" later from a business standpoint.

Every time this happens, I keep coming back to a couple of thoughts.  It's hard to support hatred of any kind, even on an issue that still polarizes people like gay rights.  Or perhaps this is all just a form of targeting, getting your audience to align around some core beliefs and thereby building a connection with them.

Freedom of speech, absolutely.  Freedom to turn the channel, absolutely. Freedom for the cable operators to take away his platform, absolutely.

Either way, I am not going to support hatred from any brand, but I also can't help but chuckle at the irony of it all ... his comments are in GQ!  GQ!  Enough said on this topic.

What's your experience?  Jim.