Part 5/10:
One of the most striking ironies is how companies sought to virtue signal while simultaneously alienating their core customers. For example, Disney’s removal of its long-standing Americana aesthetic and the replacement of attractions with more inclusive but often less authentic representations reflect an exaggerated emphasis on social justice at the expense of profitability and tradition.
Cracker Barrel, which also aligned with woke policies including a rebranding effort, saw their CEO publicly claim that feedback was mostly positive, yet their stock took a severe hit. Interestingly, the company hired the same PR team responsible for Bud Light’s notorious decline, further illustrating how misjudged their strategies have been.