Bic's "For Her" Pens
Targeting - Women, students, professionals, and pen enthusiasts looking for pens designed for women.
Core Theme of the Campaign -
Addresses the unique needs of female consumers in the pen market.
About the
Campaign -
Bic's "For Her" pens campaign promotes pens designed specifically for women.
Formula applied by the Campaign to elicit customer action -
Offers pens with a feminine design and ergonomic features tailored for women's hands.
Business Title
A Look at
the Campaign
1. Design and Marketing: The "For Her" pens were designed with a sleek and slim barrel, often featuring pastel-colored barrels and decorative accents. They were marketed as pens designed to fit comfortably in a woman's hand and were promoted with slogans like "Bic For Her: Just for you ladies."
2. Controversy: The release of these pens sparked controversy and ridicule in various quarters. Many consumers and advocacy groups found the idea of gender-specific pens unnecessary and perpetuating gender stereotypes. They questioned why pens needed to be gendered and criticized the notion that women required a special pen design.
3. Stereotypes: Critics argued that marketing such products reinforced outdated gender stereotypes by implying that women needed a different kind of pen or that a traditional pen was somehow unsuitable for them. This was seen as an example of unnecessary gendering of everyday products.
4. Backlash and Satire: The backlash against Bic's "For Her" pens was widespread, with numerous satirical reviews and comments posted online. Many people humorously pointed out that women had been using regular pens effectively for years and did not need a separate product.
5. Lesson Learned: Bic's "For Her" pens serve as a cautionary example of how marketing products based on gender can backfire if it's perceived as unnecessary or patronizing. In response to the backlash, Bic eventually toned down its marketing efforts and focused on promoting the pens as stylish writing instruments rather than gender-specific tools.