Last year, we inducted Courrier International into the Responsible Marketing Hall of Shame for their insensitive exploitation of 9/11.
This year, Euronews has listed a dozen more examples in Marketing and the exploitation of 9/11 that are every bit as disturbing. Here are the images:
The exploitation of 9/11 by marketers is disrespectful, irresponsible on every level. So, how do these images make you feel about the advertisers?
I’m not American, but I can still understand the reason why these pictures were considered irresponsible and respectable.
-These marketers, I guess, they just want their brand to be paid attention to, however they don’t care about the reputation of the brand
-They might get a lot of attention for a while, but in the long run, making controversial stuff (and these seems to be totally wrong) will direct them to a bad situation.
-for the starbucks one, I don’t understand actually, is it like that two stand-up stuff with a flying thing, would be related to 911???
I think they are just riding the hype of this event. This will always be remembered and I think their ads won’t be.
This event is really big and at the same time sensitive. Company and advertisers should handle this with extra careful. Let’s bring back the values in advertising.
It is okay to remember it but I think it’s not a good thing to exploit it. Give hope and don’t trigger the negative emotion.
Here’s another myth: “the more people I target, the more products I’ll sell.” and that event is not about Americans but rather whole world!
I don’t think the Starbucks one is intentional, just a bad coincidence.