H&M Hires Global Leader to Promote “Diversity and Inclusiveness” After Recent ‘Monkey Hoodie’ Scandal

blogged by: @ashleytearra

H&M has been under major heat since their “monkey hoodie” ad scandal and as a result, it seems that the company is now trying to do damage control.

In an email to the Associated Press, the Swedish clothing retailer announced that they’ve recently hired Annie Wu, a Global Manager for Employee Relations as their new global leader.

According to a public statement released on their Facebook page, this past Tuesday, Wu will reportedly help the brand promote diversity and inclusiveness.

“The recent incident was entirely unintentional, but it demonstrates so clearly how big our responsibility is as a global brand. We have reached out, around the world, inside and outside to get H&M feedback. Our commitment to addressing diversity and inclusiveness is genuine,” the brand wrote. “Therefore, we have appointed a global leader to drive our work forward. There will be more from us soon.”

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The news follows the recent outcry surrounding a racial-themed photo ad from the official H&M website–which captured an African-American child wearing a green “coolest monkey in the jungle” pullover, that went viral.

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H&M has since received loads of media backlash, canceled celebrity partnerships, and even protests outside of storefronts in South Africa.