Hamma
2004-04-19, 07:55 PM
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3020048/detail.html
Ford Denounces Internet Ad Showing Cat Decapitation
Company Says Ad Put Together Without Approval
POSTED: 3:55 pm EDT April 19, 2004
UPDATED: 4:06 pm EDT April 19, 2004
Ford Motor Co. is denouncing the release of an Internet ad that shows a computer-animated cat being decapitated by a power moonroof hatch.
The ad is for the Sportka, a Ford hatchback that's sold in Europe.
Ford said the clip was put together without its approval by the ad agency Ogilvy and Mather as part of a "virtual marketing" campaign for the car. It's a type of e-mail marketing, sort of an electronic version of word-of-mouth.
The ad shows a realistic-looking orange cat climbing on top of the car and poking its head into the open moonroof. According to reports, the hatch slides closed, the cat struggles, and its headless body slides to the ground.
Both Ford and the ad agency said the ad is "unacceptable and reprehensible." In a statement, they emphasize that the clip was computer-generated -- and no animals were harmed.
Ford Denounces Internet Ad Showing Cat Decapitation
Company Says Ad Put Together Without Approval
POSTED: 3:55 pm EDT April 19, 2004
UPDATED: 4:06 pm EDT April 19, 2004
Ford Motor Co. is denouncing the release of an Internet ad that shows a computer-animated cat being decapitated by a power moonroof hatch.
The ad is for the Sportka, a Ford hatchback that's sold in Europe.
Ford said the clip was put together without its approval by the ad agency Ogilvy and Mather as part of a "virtual marketing" campaign for the car. It's a type of e-mail marketing, sort of an electronic version of word-of-mouth.
The ad shows a realistic-looking orange cat climbing on top of the car and poking its head into the open moonroof. According to reports, the hatch slides closed, the cat struggles, and its headless body slides to the ground.
Both Ford and the ad agency said the ad is "unacceptable and reprehensible." In a statement, they emphasize that the clip was computer-generated -- and no animals were harmed.