The internet was on fire this week after the skincare company Nivea came under fire for a racially offensive ad campaign that ran in the September issue of Esquire Magazine. The ad featured a black man toting in his hand the super, afro-clad head of another black man and the ad words “Look Like You Give a Damn. Re-civilize Yourself.”
Someone tweeted a picture of the ad and it was all over for Nivea. Oh, by the way, the craziest thing about the ad is that a black man is the creator of the campaign!!!
According to Clutch Magazaine, the campaign is the brainchild of Cliff Carson VP of PMK BNC (see how quickly they threw this brutha under the bus, right!j) PMK BNC handles branding and marketing for Nivea and is credited with getting into position to have Blacks representing the brand i.e. Rihanna
Here’s Nivea’s apology:
Beiersdorf AG, the parent company of Nivea (which boasts singer Rihanna as one of its spokesmodels) released the following statement to CNN regarding the controversy:
“We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific local advertisement. After realizing that this ad is misleading, it was immediately withdrawn.”
The statement went on to say that “Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of NIVEA: The brand represents diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity. We value difference. Direct or indirect discrimination must be ruled out in all decisions by, and in all areas of our activities. This applies regardless of gender, age, race, skin color, religion, ideology, sexual orientation, or disability. Nor should cultural, ethnic, or national origin, and political or philosophical conviction be of any significance.”
Wonder if Riiri has anything to say about this?
SOURCE: CNN and Clutch Magazine
