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New Balance Faces Social Media Backlash After Welcoming Trump
http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-balance-faces-social-media-backlash-after-welcoming-trump-1478823102 ^

Posted on 11/10/2016 7:52:51 PM PST by Phillyred

The Boston-based footwear maker has opposed the Trans-Pacific free trade agreement; rival Nike supports it

New Balance Athletic Inc. may be the first corporation to get hit by backlash against President-elect Donald Trump. The privately held sneaker company—long an opponent of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement—welcomed the election of Mr. Trump as a reprieve from the policies of President Barack Obama. “The Obama administration turned a deaf ear to us and frankly, with President-elect Trump, we feel things are going to move in the right direction,” Matthew LeBretton, New Balance’s vice president of public affairs, said in an interview on Wednesday.

The comments sparked controversy on social media, with hundreds of users posting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram that they would throw out their sneakers or boycott the brand. Some posted videos setting their shoes on fire. Others uploaded photos of the shoes in the garbage.

“I back your stance on the TPP but to support a hate monger like Donald Trump is disheartening,” wrote Instagram user “inasentimentalmood” on the New Balance account. “I believe I’ve bought my last pair.“ The comments were posted beneath a statement by New Balance that the company believes ”in acting with the utmost integrity and we welcome all walks of life.”

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: donaldtrump; manufacturing; newbalance; tpp; trade; trump
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To: tomkat

And they don’t advertise. All their profits go back into their shoes.

I’ve worn them for over 10 years.


21 posted on 11/10/2016 8:07:10 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Phillyred

Me, too. Just kicked off a nice comfy pair of New Balance running shoes as I came in the door and now I have a great reason to stick with that brand.


22 posted on 11/10/2016 8:07:11 PM PST by Sparticus (Tar and feathers for the next dumb@ss Republican that uses the word bipartisanship.)
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To: Phillyred

> “The comments sparked controversy on social media, with ***hundreds*** of users posting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram that they would throw out their sneakers or boycott the brand.”

Hundreds? HUNDREDS???


23 posted on 11/10/2016 8:07:31 PM PST by Hostage (ARTICLE V):)
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To: tomkat

I have a relative with is a marathon runner and physical therapist and she only wears New Balance. Thus, I tried NB and like them best.


24 posted on 11/10/2016 8:09:44 PM PST by apocalypto
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To: Sans-Culotte

Still a private company so maybe they’ll hold strong. I hope Trump administration will stick up for companies and people targeted by pc police! They are killing the first amendment!


25 posted on 11/10/2016 8:09:49 PM PST by Phillyred
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To: Phillyred

wished I could, but their shoes don’t work for me.

due to nerve damage in my feet I’m sure.


26 posted on 11/10/2016 8:10:32 PM PST by txnativegop (Tired of liberals, even a few in my own family.)
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To: Phillyred

“setting their shoes on fire...” Proves that the anti-NB people are illogical and unethical losers with poor public relations skills. If I owned NB, then I would say, “Get lost. We serve customers who train to win.”


27 posted on 11/10/2016 8:11:59 PM PST by Falconspeed ("Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94))
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To: apocalypto

Goodonya !


28 posted on 11/10/2016 8:12:06 PM PST by tomkat
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To: Phillyred
Just went to Zappo's and bought a $100 pair of golf shoes from New Balance. Never had ANY of their shoes ever - of any type - but they are on my list now.

Not putting up with this leftist targeting crap anymore.

I eat a lot a Chick-Fil-A now, too, ........... and I don't really even like chicken all that much.

29 posted on 11/10/2016 8:13:19 PM PST by willgolfforfood
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To: Phillyred

I own a pair of NB shoes. They are the most comfortable tennies I have ever owned.


30 posted on 11/10/2016 8:13:43 PM PST by freedom6178
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To: virgil

I have wide toes, but a narrow heel. And flat feet.

I wear a pair of NB walkers every day. The first pair I bought was 3 years ago; lasted me for 2 years of every day, all day wear. When I had to give them up, I went back and bought another pair.

They’re expensive, but are worth it. The shoes I used to wear would break down in about a month and start causing my feet to hurt. No more.


31 posted on 11/10/2016 8:14:30 PM PST by Spirit of Liberty (It's morning in America again!)
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To: willgolfforfood

Thank you!!!!


32 posted on 11/10/2016 8:17:23 PM PST by Phillyred
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To: Phillyred

They are NOT 100% made in the USA.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-balance-shoe-materials-arent-all-u-s-made-1412109111

.


33 posted on 11/10/2016 8:17:50 PM PST by Mears
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To: Phillyred

I just decided I need some new sneakers.


34 posted on 11/10/2016 8:18:19 PM PST by vladimir998 (Apparently I'm still living in your head rent free. At least now it isn't empty.)
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To: Phillyred

Attacks by the left against privately owned American businesses have a way of backfiring. Think Hobby Lobby, or Chick-fil-A.

But feel free, lefties, feel free. Conservatives will more make up for any loss you might cause.


35 posted on 11/10/2016 8:20:19 PM PST by EDINVA
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To: Phillyred

My ASICS are wearing out. Any suggestions for another brand ?


36 posted on 11/10/2016 8:21:57 PM PST by libh8er
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To: isthisnickcool

Most runners are liberals. @Gibbsy in a pickle.


37 posted on 11/10/2016 8:22:16 PM PST by Lisbon1940 (No full-term Governors!)
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To: vladimir998

I always buy these because they work for me. Besides most boycotts never work.


38 posted on 11/10/2016 8:22:36 PM PST by Digger
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To: HokieMom

That was Steve Jobs’ signature brand. Black turtleneck, denim and New Balance.


39 posted on 11/10/2016 8:23:16 PM PST by libh8er
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To: Phillyred

Didn’t Sarah Palin wear New Balance?


40 posted on 11/10/2016 8:24:17 PM PST by thecodont
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