When New Product Development Goes Painfully Wrong
June 9, 2008 by Susan Gunelius
Filed under Marketing
Sometimes I come across a new marketing program, branding initiative or product that leaves me completely dumbfounded. Today, I came across one of these new products that has left me at a loss for words. Clearly, I’m not the target audience for this product, but regardless, I still am left awestruck – and not in a good way.
The product? High-heel shoes for infants.
I found this product via the Orlando Sentinel’s Moms at Work blog today. It seems that Heelarious heels are soft, fully functional high-heel crib shoes (what?) that are intended to be "her first high heels" (see the picture above). Check out this blurb about the packaging, "Each pair of Heelarious heels is packaged in a darling purse-shaped gift box, complete with a rhinestone closure." I should note that Heelarious heels are only available in sizes 0-6 months.
I’m assuming by the brand name, Heelarious, that these shoes are meant to be a joke but the elaborate packaging confuses me. Heck, I’m just confused all around on this one.
So what do you think? Come on….you know you want to comment about this one!
Image: Heelarious.com
I think this is idiotic, but then again all of those beauty pageant mothers are probably their demographic.
If you dont find this funny and know that this is just for fun you are a tree hugging, hippy square!
Really guys? You can’t see the humor in these harmless crib shoes? It’s just as they claim on their website…it’s purely meant to get a laugh. Wow, how did we become so flippin’ serious? Lighten up!!
I think these are pretty cute! And they seem to be branding them alright…I just saw them on Good Morning America…