Wowcher has issued an apology after sending a marketing email that referenced a crocodile attack on a toddler at a zoo. The email, which included the subject line ‘Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!’, sparked outrage on social media, particularly given the serious nature of the incident involving a three-year-old boy.
The child was reportedly attacked after entering the crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire. He is currently in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The email’s timing and wording have raised concerns about the sensitivity of marketing practices, especially in light of such a traumatic event.
In response to the backlash, Wowcher stated that the email was not approved and acknowledged the distress it caused, particularly to the child’s family. The company is now reviewing its marketing processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights the potential pitfalls of automated marketing strategies, where the human element can sometimes be overlooked, leading to significant reputational damage. As companies increasingly rely on automated systems for communication, the need for stringent content approval processes becomes even more critical.
Source: BBC News
