Kleenex/LiLiPUT Might Is Right (1982)
Kleenex tissues were developed in the 1920s as a disposable alternative to face towels for removing cold cream. Initially marketed primarily to women for this purpose, the product's marketing executives shifted their focus in the 1930s to promote Kleenex as a handkerchief substitute.
The success story of Kleenex is remarkable. The brand's name recognition is so strong that “Kleenex” is often used as a generic term for any facial tissue—an achievement only few brands have managed in their respective fields.
Naturally, a strong brand like Kleenex needs rigorous protection. So, when Kimberly-Clark, the company that owns Kleenex, learned about a Swiss punk band using the name "Kleenex" in the late 1970s, they had to act. The company sent a letter to the band demanding a name change. “They said we had to change our name or otherwise they will call Rough Trade [the band’s record label at the time] to destroy all the records and we couldn't sell them anymore,” explained Marlene Marder, the band's late guitarist, in an interview.
Facing the threat of significant financial loss and coinciding with a lineup change, the band decided to rename themselves LiLiPUT. The rebranding did not harm their legacy; in fact, Kleenex/LiLiPUT, as the band is often referred to these days, are considered pioneers of the punk movement—in Switzerland and beyond—particularly in the context of female-fronted bands.
A highlight in the band’s catalog is the raw, yet laid-back “Might Is Right” from 1982, which actually can be interpreted as a reaction to Kimberly-Clark’s say in the band’s naming.
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