Over a year ago, this blog gave a detailed summary of the gross PR blunder committed by Vogue Magazine in its positive puff piece on Syria First Lady Asma al-Asaad. No need to repeat the many points argued raised back then, other than to say that yesterday, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (finally!) issued a statement of regret toward the story.
Just one question: what took you so long, Vogue?
Wintour’s apology mirrored three of the four points this blog provided back then: stop defending the story, stop being absurd, and apologize immediately. Well, maybe 2.5 out of 4, given the lack of immediacy. And that advice was offered for free! Can’t imagine the tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars Vogue or parent company Conde Nast spent on PR counsel to secure the same advice that The Blog Aesthetic shouted out loud.
Do you think, now that a year has passed, Wintour’s apology matters at all?
