| By Andy Swan A cult-brand meltdown is underway – and this story is more than 100 years in the making...
In 1913, American physicist William Stanley Jr. patented the world's first all-steel vacuum flask – a revolutionary product that combined vacuum insulation with the sturdiness of stainless steel. 
Original Drawing for US1071817A (worldwide.espacenet.com) Stanley's invention laid the foundation for the Stanley Bottle Company we know today – a brand synonymous with rugged, reliable outdoor gear, that would erupt into a viral social media sensation more than a century later.
Despite its longstanding presence in the market, the Stanley brand didn't get its "breakout" moment until 2019, when a well-timed promotion with the women-run blog, Buy Guide, put its 40-ounce Quencher bottles on the map. 
This partnership, coupled with a strategy shift towards influencer marketing and targeting a female audience, quickly propelled the company's growth to astounding new heights.
Between 2019 and 2023, Stanley's annual sales soared ten-fold from $70 million to $750 million, marking a significant turnaround that established the Stanley bottle as a must-have item among trendy consumers.
But Stanley's century-old legacy is now at risk, as the same consumers who drove that meteoric growth – moms on social media – threaten to tear it down just as fast. A Brand in Crisis Consumers are ditching their Stanleys in droves amid rising fears of lead contamination. The social media-fueled crisis reminds us of last year's Bud Light meltdown, with the potential to do irreparable damage to Stanley's reputation.
Concerns about lead in Stanley cups were first brought to light in March 2023 by a lead advisory blog named "Lead Safe Mama." 
@leadsafemama_2022 on TikTok The issue gained more traction in August 2023 when a TikTok user, Mils (@m1l522), posted a video showing a lead test kit indicating the presence of lead on the bottom center of a Stanley cup purchased for her 3-year-old. 
@m1l522 on TikTok Though published last year, these videos have caught traction in 2024, leading to increased scrutiny and concern among customers.
Amateur, at-home swab tests look damning for the brand. 
facebook.com Stanley maintains that their products are FDA tested and approved, with all contact surfaces being safe and BPS/BPA-free.
But perception can be reality. And recent searches show consumers are not convinced... 
Google Trends Talk about a branding problem on your hands. Yikes.
Consumer mentions of Stanley products show confusion and fear only escalating in recent days. 
To be clear: Unless a Stanley cup is damaged, you're probably fine.
But for the brand, the damage is undeniable – especially with dozens of other options available.
The Stanley story is a testament to how consumers can make or break a company or brand and how LikeFolio's real-time read on consumer social media posts keeps you ahead of the game.
Chaos like this creates opportunity. And we've already identified a winner among the rubble.
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Until next time, | 
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