WWF condemns unauthorized 9/11 ‘scam ad’
WorldWildlife Fund today issued the following statement in response to a’scam ad’ created by DDB Brazil which was posted on several Internetsites including Adsoftheworld that has been inaccurately linked to the organization and contains messages and images related to the events of 9-11.
“WWFstrongly condemns this offensive and tasteless ad and did not authorizeits production or publication. It is our understanding that it was aconcept offered by an outside advertising agency seeking our businessin Brazil. The concept was summarily rejected by WWF and should neverhave seen the light of day. It is an unauthorized use of our logo andwe are aggressively pursuing action to have it removed from websiteswhere it is being currently featured. We strongly condemn the messagesand the images portrayed in this ad. On behalf of WWF, here in the USand around the world, we can promise you this ad does not in any wayreflect the thoughts and feelings of the people of our organization.”
However,the ad is not new. It was approved by WWF Brazil according to DDBBrazil – and ran once in a small local paper. It later won a Merit Award at The One Show in May this year without attracting any controversy.
UPDATE: See the video version of the ad, which DDB Brazil denies any knowledge of.
7 Comments
A WWF scam ad from Brazil?
Are you sure it wasn’t a WWF ad from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, or god forbid, BBH Shanghai?
Silly comment, no country in the world clean in the scam game.
This might yet be the biggest blow to scamvertising….it is ironic that the shots were fired by the scammers themselves. An influential CNBC show voted the agency as ‘the world’s worst people’ …..LOL.
Only a matter of time before this sand castle crumbles…..enjoy playing while it lasts boys and girls.
A tip. It’s not scam if it’s pro bono.
Yeah 11.52 keep telling yourself that. You’re so clever aren’t you?
And while you’re at it, have a read of this especially the comments.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i82908c6716f89cd166d6ee5442ab8768?pn=1
It’s all going tits up in the scam world right now. Rumor has it that some influential clients that have been following this story are taking this issue up with the heads of holding companies. Ouch!
One Show is toughening up the rules….good…..hopefully others will follow.
http://www.baldwinand.com/blog/category/category/our-thoughts