Update: Metric respond to t-shirt controversy

by: Dave Morris

February 09, 2010 8:23 AM

Comments: (17)

After having their motives for a Haitian-relief t-shirt campaign called into question last week, Toronto indie-rock quartet Metric has issued a response to the criticisms and unveiled plans for a revised design:

Hello all,

Over the past few days, we have come to realize that some people found the wording of our Help Haiti t-shirt design to be questionable. Despite our good intentions, we can see how the messaging could be interpreted in a way different than we intended, and we apologize to anyone who took offense.

Moving forward, we will continue with the campaign, as Haiti will still need our assistance and donations long after the telethons and fundraisers are out of the news. We have, however, come up with a new, simple ribbon-design t-shirt in place of the original version which will be available here.

Anyone who has already bought a t-shirt will have the choice of keeping their original purchase, or selecting this new version instead. We will contact purchasers individually in the coming days in order to determine your preference.

We appreciate the dialogue and urge you to contribute to this campaign or others that are making an effort to help a country in need.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has participated in the Help Haiti t-shirt campaign so far. We have already raised thousands of dollars that will go toward aiding those dealing first-hand with this catastrophic event.

If you prefer to donate directly to a relief organization, then please click on any of the following links: Red Cross / Oxfam / Unicef / Save The Children / World Vision / Canada For Haiti / Stand With Haiti.

Thanks for your ears,

xox metric

Feb. 5, 2010, 4:00pm:

Help, I'm in questionable taste

Is Metric's new t-shirt a crass attempt at cross-promoting their brand, by quoting their song and likening their pop-star angst to a human tragedy of epic proportions? Or is it a geniune and sincere attempt to raise money for Haiti relief, since proceeds will go to Red Cross operations in Haiti?

Discuss in the comments box below.

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Update: Metric respond to t-shirt controversy

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