Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Silicon Valley tech firm apologises for sexist stunt after backlash at industry event

by August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024
Silicon Valley tech firm apologises for sexist stunt after backlash at industry event

A major Silicon Valley tech firm, Palo Alto Networks, has issued an apology following widespread criticism for its controversial marketing stunt at an industry event in Las Vegas.

The company faced backlash after images emerged showing female models dressed in tight outfits with lampshades covering their heads, used as human lampstands during a networking event at the Black Hat conference.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, expressed regret over what he described as a “misguided attempt to welcome guests,” acknowledging that the use of lamp-wearing hostesses was inappropriate. Unnikrishnan KP, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, echoed this sentiment, calling the decision “tone deaf, in poor taste, and not aligned with our company values.”

The incident has reignited discussions about the persistent “bro” culture in Silicon Valley, a term used to describe the male-dominated, often misogynistic environment that has been the subject of criticism for years. Olivia Rose, a cybersecurity advisor, condemned the event on LinkedIn, highlighting the ongoing challenges women face in the tech industry. She criticised the company for reducing women to mere props, noting that some female employees felt too intimidated to voice their concerns about the decision.

The tech industry has long struggled with allegations of sexism and exclusionary practices. Emily Chang, in her book Brotopia, explores the dark side of Silicon Valley’s culture, including its impact on women working in the sector. The Palo Alto Networks incident has drawn comparisons to outdated practices like the use of “booth babes,” which were phased out in the early 2000s but lingered far longer than they should have.

In response to the controversy, Palo Alto Networks has launched an internal investigation to determine how the decision was made and to ensure that similar mistakes are not repeated. However, some critics on social media have questioned the sincerity of the company’s apology, suggesting that it lacked a direct acknowledgement of the sexism and misogyny underlying the stunt.

Read more:
Silicon Valley tech firm apologises for sexist stunt after backlash at industry event

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Walz responds to vice presidential debate invitation; Vance says ‘I strongly suspect we’re going to be there’
next post
Tata Steel workers and suppliers receive £13.5 million in emergency funding amid Port Talbot restructuring

You may also like

Presenter Kaye Adams wins IR35 case against HMRC...

November 29, 2023

Innovate UK pauses flagship grants scheme for SMEs...

January 31, 2025

London finance sector sees seasonal hiring boost, but...

April 17, 2025

10,000 small business leaders enrol in government-backed management...

December 13, 2024

Jacob Zach Winsett: From Farm Roots to the...

June 2, 2025

How Faris Abusharif Is Helping to Evolve the...

November 30, 2022

Britons have more confidence in EU than Westminster,...

March 31, 2023

Covid infections study increases calls for masks

August 19, 2022

Business confidence dented by fears of higher taxes...

October 9, 2024

The Importance Of Mobile Apps In Continuing Education...

October 2, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Trump warns of ‘serious consequences’ if Elon Musk funds Democrats

      June 7, 2025
    • Musk jokes about reconsidering stance on Big Beautiful Bill after Schiff’s praise

      June 7, 2025
    • Musk deletes explosive posts about Trump and Epstein files

      June 7, 2025
    • House witness flips script on Dem who ambushed him during hearing with unearthed tweet: ‘Iceberg is ahead’

      June 7, 2025
    • Call with China’s Xi, and Trump-Musk exchange fueled barbs during 20th week in office

      June 7, 2025
    • Trump’s conservative allies warn Congress faces critical ‘test’ with $9.4B spending cut proposal

      June 7, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,152)
    • Investing (2,019)
    • Politics (15,568)
    • Stocks (3,136)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved