Dr. Martens Advertisement Featuring Dead Kurt Cobain Pulled
The ad shows Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain with wings seated on a cloud. He is wearing white robes and Dr. Martens boots. The tagline in the right corner reads "Dr. Martens. Forever." Similar ads feature three other rock stars, Sid Vicious from The Sex Pistols, Joey Ramone from the Ramones, and Joe Strummer from the Clash.
The ad featuring Cobain has garnered a wide range of opinions. While many bloggers has called it tasteless and offensive, the ad agency that created the ads claimed in a press release posted on The Daily Swarm that the advertising is a "beautiful tribute to four legendary musicians... All four punk-rock icons were known for wearing Dr. Martens boots."
Courtney Love, wife of the late Kurt Cobain, in an interview with People spoke out against the ad through a publicist, decrying the crass commercialism embodied by such an endeavor.
CEO of Dr. Martens parent company, David Suddens agreed, saying that he was not even aware that the ads were being published. In an interview given to The Daily Swarm he stated, "It [the ad] doesn't represent our company at all."
In press release issued by Suddens on behalf of Dr. Martens, the company claims that the ads ran counter to the shoe company's advertising campaign. "Dr Martens did not commission the work as it runs counter to our current marketing activities based on FREEDM, which is dedicated to nurturing grass roots creativity and supporting emerging talent."
Suddens offered a full apology to Courtney Love, as well as the family of the other three musicians. He also immediately fired the advertising agency that created the offending ad, Saatchi and Saatchi London.
Saatchi and Saatchi's executive creative director, Kate Stanners, countered in a press release issued on May 24th posted on The Daily Swarm stating , "We believe the ads are edgy but not offensive. There has been blog commentary both for and against the ads, but it is our belief that they are respectful of both the musicians and the Dr. Martens brand."
The press release also states "the client approved the ads to run as a one-off in Fact Magazine in the UK." However, the ads showed up on an American advertising website, a fact that the company is investigating and calling the work of an individual who broke agency and client policies.
SOURCES:
Mike Fleeman, "Dr. Martens Shoes Apologizes for Kurt Cobain Ad." People. URL: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040249,00.html
"Exclusive: Dr. Martens to Saatchi: You're Fired!" The Daily Swarm. URL: http://thedailyswarm.com/swarm/exclusive-dr-martens-saatchi-youre-fired/
Published by Amy Whittle
Amy Whittle is a freelance writer based in clean, green Boulder City, Nevada. She specializes in home improvement, green living, and health and fitness issues. You can check out her work at Woman’s Day, th... View profile
- Affordable Fall Men's Shoes: Prepare for All Situations Affordable men's shoes for the fall season will take us from the homecoming game to the homecoming dance, and from working out in the yard to working out.
- Top Picks in Men's Shoe Trends for Fall 2009 This guide to men's shoes trends for fall 2009 includes five top picks and where to buy.
- Courtney Love to Auction Off Nirvana and Kurt Cobain Memorabilia Want to own a piece of Nirvana? It may be possible. Courtney Love, widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, announced that she has been in discussions with Christies auction house to sell many of Cobain's possessions.
-
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain should have turned forty this week. Here's a look at the illness that took him and his impact on one life.
- Judge Orders Courtney Love to Stay Away from Frances Bean Cobain Courtney Love's daughter with late husband, Kurt Cobain has been living with his family. Now the judge has extended the restraining order and told Courtney Love to stay away from her daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
- Doc Martens, a Part of Punk Rock Fashion
- Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Doc Martens Boots
- Courtney Love vs. Doc Martens
- Product Review: Adidas Everest Boots
- Mens Steel Toe Work Boots: The 3 Best
- Marketing Dead Celebrities
- For the Best Clothing & Accessories, Shop HSN
|
|
5 Comments
Post a CommentIdiots. Cobain is wearing Converse All-Stars in heaven for sure...
Interesting Post!!
This was nothing but an advertising ploy. You can't run an ad campaign without the company's permission. Joey Ramone's brother states, "Obviously, we are in the same position as Courtney Love, as well as the Estates of the others depicted (in the ad). We were never consulted about this ad. We were never asked for permission to use Joey's image, or paid for the use of it. As Executor of my brother's estate I never would have approved this ad as Joey never wore these shoes. And, not that my brother was terribly religious, but the fact that he was Jewish, and this ad is not exactly Kosher, makes it that much more inappropriate, inconsiderate and contemptible."
Interesting news.
Very clever ad! Good article, too.