Yeah, it could be argued that the ultimate “Seuss Cancel” (avant la lettre) form of this was Nike’s notoriously controversial discontinuation of the “Betsy Ross flag” sneaker design.
Furious conservatives denouncing the decision (while buying up and flaunting all the Betsy Ross flag sneakers they could find) gave Nike millions of dollars of free publicity; liberals were sent a positive message about Nike’s anti-racist “principles”; and avid collectors bid up prices on the sneakers to thousands of dollars, ensuring that they would have lasting “rarity” cachet.
Nike’s marketing department earned their bonus that year, for sure.