Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the controversies faced by international brands, particularly in the context of advertising that has been perceived as discriminatory or culturally insensitive, highlighting the need for brands to understand and respect local cultures when entering new markets [3][10]. Group 1: Swatch Controversy - Swatch faced backlash due to a controversial advertisement featuring a "squinty-eyed" image, which sparked discussions about cultural sensitivity in marketing [3][10]. Group 2: Philipp Plein Incident - Philipp Plein produced a limited batch of T-shirts with offensive slogans in 2007, which resurfaced years later, leading to public outrage and a subsequent apology from the brand [4][6]. - Despite the apology, the brand's reputation suffered in China, with limited offline presence and a lack of widespread recognition [6]. Group 3: Dolce & Gabbana's Missteps - Dolce & Gabbana faced significant backlash in 2018 for an advertisement that depicted an Asian model struggling to use chopsticks, which was deemed racially insensitive [7]. - The brand's founders issued a public apology after a wave of criticism and celebrity boycotts, highlighting the importance of cultural respect in marketing [7][10]. Group 4: Dior's Advertising Issues - Dior's 2023 makeup advertisement featuring an Asian model performing a "pulling the eyes" gesture led to accusations of Asian discrimination, echoing previous controversies [8][9]. - The brand clarified that the controversial image was part of an artistic project rather than a commercial advertisement, but the incident raised questions about the portrayal of Asian aesthetics in marketing [10]. Group 5: Recommendations for Brands - Experts suggest that international brands should adopt a more humble approach when entering new markets, emphasizing the importance of understanding local customs, culture, and consumer preferences to avoid marketing failures [10].

Core Viewpoint - The company MISTINE issued an apology on July 1 for a lottery event that led to disrespectful comments towards a female athlete, clarifying that the lottery results were generated automatically by the Weibo platform and that they had no control over it [1][4]. Group 1: Apology and Response - MISTINE stated that they canceled the prize of a user who exhibited disrespectful behavior towards women and athletes after discovering the issue [1][4]. - The company expressed sincere apologies to fans who were hurt by the incident and emphasized their commitment to respecting all women and promoting an equal online environment [5][6]. Group 2: Public Reaction - Many fans were dissatisfied with MISTINE's apology, accusing the brand of evading responsibility and not addressing the issue of allowing disrespectful comments to proliferate in the comments section [6]. - Fans demanded a direct apology to the female athlete rather than a general apology to "fans" [6]. Group 3: Company Background - MISTINE, established in 1988, is a cosmetics brand under Bhatrawee Co., Ltd. from Thailand, known for its sunscreen products in the Chinese market, differing from its reputation in Thailand for color cosmetics [6]. - The brand has faced previous controversies, including allegations of falsely advertising SPF values in their sunscreen products and issues with counterfeit products in the Chinese market [7].