A Backfiring Ad Campaign: Binance’s “Eau de Binance”
A female-targeted ad campaign by Binance, the popular crypto exchange, has received widespread criticism and mockery from the crypto community. The campaign, launched on International Women’s Day, revolves around a perfume created by Binance called “CRYPTO” or “Eau de Binance.” The company claims that the perfume was designed to attract more women to the male-dominated world of digital assets.
The Controversial Campaign
Binance employees were shown in a video offering samples of the perfume to women at an outdoor mall in Bahrain. The intention was to engage them in a conversation about cryptocurrency and their potential interest in investing. However, the response from women interviewed in the video revealed their hesitancy towards crypto, with statements such as “Women are more cautious” and “I’m curious, but I’m also scared.”
Backlash on Twitter was immediate and widespread. Many criticized the campaign as being sexist and out of touch with female psychology. One user sarcastically suggested using pink Gucci purses as bait to trap women and educate them about crypto trading. Others simply mocked the campaign as ineffective and misguided.
Criticism of Binance’s Approach
The criticism extended beyond just the ad campaign itself. Many users pointed out that Binance could make a more meaningful contribution to gender equality by hiring more women internally. They argued that true diversity and inclusion should start within the company.
Rachel Conlan, Binance’s Chief Marketing Officer, defended the campaign’s intentions. She stated that the goal was to spark dialogue about the gender gap in crypto and encourage more women to explore the space. However, critics argue that marketing a perfume does not effectively address these issues and may perpetuate gender-related stereotypes.
Hot Take: A Missed Opportunity for Genuine Inclusivity
The “Eau de Binance” campaign by Binance has faced significant backlash and criticism for its approach to attracting women to the world of cryptocurrency. The ad campaign, centered around a perfume, has been widely mocked and deemed ineffective. Critics argue that a more meaningful contribution to gender equality would involve hiring more women internally and addressing the broader cultural issues within the company.
The crypto community has shown that it expects more than just superficial attempts at inclusivity. To truly bridge the gender gap in crypto, companies like Binance need to take concrete actions that promote diversity and create an environment where women feel welcome and empowered. Simply marketing a perfume is not enough.