White House Vs. Benetton
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx-R0IF5ph3RCXdqM0Nv5yxaA9SWHQFIs2F8IN4ABpLaSkxE8t3c94Lk51orSVmltCx8WFV3ON8_lyrMgVSRkZSd0J5LVTCIrwPesnaqIbqZcngz-BSo6yDAz-eVGCgY6WD1Xfw/s400/BenettonMilan.jpg)
The White House isn’t feeling very kissy toward Benetton, after the publicity-loving clothing company photo-shopped President Obama into an ad smooching Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez. "The White House has a long-standing policy disapproving of the use of the president's name and likeness for commercial purposes," deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said in a statement. The ads feature manipulated images of Obama kissing Chavez and Hu — and throws in pictures of Pope Benedict XVI canoodling with a top Egyptian imam — the point being international solidarity and love, as befits the brands “United Colors” campaign.Early in his administration, the White House threatened legal action against a coat manufacturer when it posted a Times Square billboard showing that the president had worn their jacket.
Labels: advertising, fashion, Vatican, White House