Opinions are good to have but giving them the shape of a fact is when things take a problematic turn. The recent controversy behind the Myntra logo looking obscene, derogatory and denigrating a woman’s integrity is the sheer misjudgment of an opinion into a fact.

For over a decade, Myntra has been operating with the same logo in the market which, in fact, is supposed to show surfboards stacked up to indicate people surfing the site. It is neither a new brand nor does it have a new logo which has caused a sudden change of opinion and perception.

It is not the first time that a brand has been bashed due to the absurdity in judgement of a certain individual or community. Today, brands are walking on eggshells when it comes to deciding their advertising & branding strategy. Previously, brands like Tanishq and Surf Excel had to take quick actions in order to ‘not offend’ their audience.

Brands are all about experiences. Yes, names and logos form the identity of the brand and are essential but only for people to remember and recall the feelings they have for it. One can easily figure out that the ‘M’, which is the logo, had no hidden motive to offend its very audience.

It is highly essential to use movements like women empowerment and consumer awareness for the right purposes. Just because someone, somewhere does not ‘feel good’ or ‘disagrees’ with how a certain thing looks and feels should not be the grounds of revamping an entire identity. It is not only the misuse of such movements but also leads to wastage of time, money and resources. Myntra succumbing to this complaint, is ready to change its logo over its website, app and packaging which will cost them big bucks.

One must understand that there are more alarming issues in this country that are of bigger concerns to women. Diverting our energy, time and outrage towards them and getting a positive outcome should be our first priority rather than dissecting and concluding unnecessary observations.

Brands, like Myntra, should also understand that addressing the concern of each individual is next to impossible if they want to be running a successful business. We are a population of around 1.38 billion with 1.38 billion opinions. Responding to issues that are product/service related should be the first and only priority. However, if challenges related to other aspects arise, they should be handled wisely. For instance, this matter of misunderstood logo could’ve been solved by putting out a press release and giving clarity on the meaning behind the logo.

However, it is also a fact that when such issues arise and grab public attention, brands are left with no choice but to take a major action, in this case, change the logo. It is so because the consumer perception gets distorted with respect to the brand and its identity and unknowingly leads to negative associations in the future. This reveals how, sometimes, mobocracy can lead to deformity of long-formed opinions and how brands have to take steps to control further damage done to their brand’s identity.

Let’s not forget that there can be cases where rival brands also push such opinions in order to defame a certain leading brand and pull it down.  

The social media revolution has a positive facet but also has its downside. It spreads news like wildfire, brands fall prey to trolling and communal hate carried out by various clouts. In order to keep away from such damage, quick action is required on their part. 

But as consumers, one must not let political correctness overpower their common sense. A rational judgement on the part of customers as well as brands is how we can function in harmony without falling prey to such fads of someone being ‘upset’ about something.