Obama, Hu Jintao ‘Kissing’ Ad Draws WH Scorn
Email
A provocative new ad campaign by Italian clothing-maker Benetton has drawn White House scorn for its unauthorized use of President Obama’s likeness – which is seen engaging in a kiss with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The image, which has appeared on posters and in storefronts around the world, is one of several in the company’s “Unhate” campaign that features world leaders locking lips with adversaries, often of the same sex.
“The White House has a longstanding policy disapproving of the use of the president’s name and likeness for commercial purposes,” said White House spokesman Eric Schultz in an email.
In another rendition, Obama is shown smooching with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. The campaign also features fictitious depictions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kissing Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel touching lips.
Benetton withdrew an image of Pope Benedict XVI and a top Egyptian imam kissing after the Vatican threatened to sue, according to the Associated Press.
Schultz declined to say whether the administration has contacted Benetton to ask the company to take down the Obama images.
In January 2010, the White House appealed to the Weatherproof Garment Company to take down a Times Square billboard that featured a photo of Obama in one of the company’s jackets. The company later complied.
In an email blast to reporters, the pro-Republican outside group American Crossroads pointed out that the Obama campaign currently sells merchandise in its online store featuring Obama’s likeness, including a graphic t-shirt emblazoned with Obama’s face for $30.
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OMG!!!!….. Please someone tell me if this really happened. You have got to be kiddin me. LMAO….
Posted by: uwdon420 | November 17, 2011, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
I am glad to find out what this is all about. Very creepy of this clothing business.
Posted by: Vicki | November 17, 2011, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
The photo is definitely wrong! oBama is normally kissing the other end.
Posted by: Michelle Shu Jas | November 17, 2011, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
Benetton has ALWAYS been cutting edge with their marketing efforts. I “get” the point that they are trying to make but boy-oh-boy! did they push the envelope on this one!!! The White House IS being consistant though (and it has nothing to do with the male on male kissing) If you recall early in the President’s Administration, (when he went to Egypt and saw the great pyramids), he was wearing “somebody’s” jacket design and that company couldn’t move fast enough putting up GIGANTIC billboards. (Oh! They note it in the article!) The White House spoke against it and like after two weeks the campaign was dropped. Quite honestly… it WAS a goodlooking billboard!!So… the White House admonishment is indeed consistant. Wow! With this Benneton campaign sitting through the lawyer meetings HAD to be fun!!!
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 17, 2011, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
The funny thing is they wouldn’t have to photoshop the picture of Bush kissing the Saudis. He was smooching with those royal dictators for real.
Posted by: Sue | November 17, 2011, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm
LOL!… and the shallow-brained would actually think that it happened. You can count on Republican numbers increasing over this… hehehe!
Posted by: Forrest Gump is DEFINITELY a Republican | November 17, 2011, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
I don’t care what you’re opinion of this President is…this is total disrespect for the office.
I would have been more amused with a picture of them having a beer summit. This just offended me.
Posted by: CajunW | November 17, 2011, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
Who cares what Obama thinks? He has already proven himself to be a total loser as a President. I did not vote for McCain but I cannot believe how many Americans bought into this Obama garbage. I guess it is true that half of the voters in America are morons and cannot even tell you who the VP is, yet they are allowed to vote-cancelling out all the intelligent voters.
Posted by: rockychance | November 17, 2011, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
LOL!… and the shallow-brained would actually think that it happened. You can count on Republican numbers increasing over this… hehehe!
POSTED BY: FORREST GUMP IS DEFINITELY A REPUBLICAN | NOVEMBER 17, 2011, 9:22 PM 9:22 PM
Ouch!
Posted by: Doug | November 17, 2011, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
Once Mr. Obama lips start to move, the lies inside are forming, ready to fly out as if they have seen the sunlight for the first time.
Posted by: young_voter | November 17, 2011, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm
Rude. Insultingly rude. We should occupy Benetton and take all of their profits over this.
These are the brands from Benetton. I won’t be purchasing any of their products:
Sisley
Playlife
United Colors of Benetton Kids
United Colors of Benetton Adults
Posted by: EPU | November 17, 2011, 11:07 pm 11:07 pm
Well we got photos of Obama bowing, now we got photos of Obama kissing! But after all the money Obama has borrowed from China he should be kissing Hu Jintao’s back side!
Posted by: RadioMan77 | November 18, 2011, 2:00 am 2:00 am
Disgusting. Not only I will never buy Benetton again, but I will do whatever I can do (legally) to harm Benetton.
Posted by: George | November 18, 2011, 7:46 am 7:46 am
If We Could Get Those (Job Killing) Republicans And Tea Party People; Who Blocks Everything That The President Attempts to Accomplish Here In The United States Out Of The Way, President Obama Would Be Able to Accomplish Many Very Good Things Here At Home, As Well As Abroad.
Posted by: Vrnn | November 18, 2011, 8:05 am 8:05 am
It should be illegal for any photo to be shopped in such a way as the subject is doing something they wouldn’t ordinarily do. And as for using world leaders in this manner for commercial profit, that’s just wrong.
Shame on Benetton. I would imagine that this ad campaign will turn people away, not towards their stores and goods. Disrespect is never a good idea for attracting customers.
Posted by: Lydia | November 18, 2011, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Obama probably laughed at the pictures you idiots! . . .just like anyone who is “outraged” by these kissing images deserves to be laughed at. The REAL news here is that the Vatican is now outraged and threatening legal action over a picture of a kiss . . .which is now being circulated throughout the world via the internet.
Posted by: DeeCee1000 | November 19, 2011, 9:24 am 9:24 am
An image of likeness used by Obama’s campaign is definitely different from some unauthorized dealer using it. Pro-Republican groups are yet again being nitpicky about trivial/idiotic things. What a surprise.
Posted by: HarryCallahan | November 24, 2011, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm