The amazing images of U.S. President Barack Obama locking lips his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Abbas hugging Benjamin Netanyahu, and Germany's Angela Merkel with Nicolas Sarkozy are some of those in the new ad campaignby the United Colors of Benetton. The aim of Benetton’s 'Unhate' campaign which was launched on November 17, 2011 is creating a culture of tolerance and global love but would have known how much trouble they were likely to stir up. However, it seems that a lot of world leaders hate Benetton's new 'Unhate' Campaign ads. This is not the first time a company's come under fire for using the president's image. Last year, The Weatherproof Garment Co. created a billboard ad in New York's Times Square showing Obama wearing one of its coats. However, this billboard was short-lived and removed from the iconic square.
Also on Thurday, November 17, 2011, the White House and the Vatican issued a statement criticizing Benetton for its provocative campaign. "The White House has a longstanding policy disapproving of the use of the president's name and likeness for commercial purposes," told White House Spokesman Eric Schultz. In addition, the Holy See announced that it would take legal action against the clothing company because it wanted the offensive image of Pope Benedict XVI kissing a Muslim imam removed from magazines, newspapers, websites and Benetton shops around the world. The legal threat burst out although Benetton announced that it would withdraw the image following the furore.
As part of Benetton's new ad campaign, the image of the Pope hugging Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb has been claimed totally unacceptable by the Vatican
This picture shows China's leader Hu Jintao and Barack Obama. Benetton aims the controversial images will help foster tolerance around the world
U.S. President Barack Obama and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are locking lips. The White House issued a statement criticizing Benetton for its provocative campaign
Benetton Ads 2011 Controversy includes the image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea
This image of Palestian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kissing
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel is kissing French president Nicolas Sarkozy
This is the scene of Benetton clothing store window in Paris which is covered by posters as part of its new Unhate campaign
Benetton Ads 2011 Controversy: World Leaders in Kissing Images
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