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Whaling Museum goes viral for ‘worst aquarium ever’ T-shirts, totes
The museum said staff expected to sell only a few items, but more than 800 orders arrived in recent days after the design went viral.
- The New Bedford Whaling Museum is turning a viral one-star Google review into a popular clothing line. Merchandise featuring the phrase "Worst Aquarium Ever" on T-shirts, crewnecks, and tote bags has generated hundreds of orders in recent days.
- A Google user posted the "Worst Aquarium Ever" review in 2020, mocking the institution's focus on whaling history rather than live marine exhibits. The New Bedford, Massachusetts museum houses whale skeletons and artifacts, not live aquatic animals.
- Following a CBS Evening News segment on Wednesday night, customers placed 738 online orders by Thursday afternoon. Weekly orders surged 250% compared to the prior week, driven by the museum's self-deprecating marketing strategy.
- Visitor Experience Manager Emily Roznoy and Chief Engagement Officer Annelise Conway are managing the surge by coordinating with local printer Cape Cod Textiles. The museum, lacking a dedicated shipping department, has enlisted staff to pack orders.
- The museum recently installed a 250-gallon saltwater tank in partnership with UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology. The exhibit houses local South Coast species, adding irony to the original "Worst Aquarium Ever" complaint.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
New Bedford Whaling Museum goes viral for ‘worst aquarium ever’ merch
A Google user left a one-star review of the New Bedford Whaling Museum coining the phrase. Last fall, the museum began selling shirts and hoodies with the review on the back and a whale skeleton on the front. Now, the design is capturing national attention.
·Boston, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Left
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
53% Left
L 53%
C 40%
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