Leica is still digging itself out of the controversy that erupted when a Brazilian marketing agency unleashed an ad upon the world that depicted the famous camera brand capturing a series of historical events that resulted in legendary photos such as Tiananmen Square’s famous Tank Man photo.
Still a sensitive issue in China to this day, public discussion of what happened in Tiananmen Square is not allowed, let alone in advertising.
Image via Pedro Khuana from Pexels.com.
And, given Leica’s close relationship with major Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, and you have a recipe for a public relations disaster – which is exactly what Leica has dealt with since the ad was released.
The marketing company behind the ad said, “F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi has worked for the representative of Leica in Brazil since 2012, developing content for several different media platforms for the client over this time…The commercial ‘The Hunt’, launched in Brazil this week, is another among these works that we have developed together with this client and for which we have immense pride and are sure to have delivered a remarkable piece. …[The company] would never harm its huge reputation by creating, producing and airing a work without the proper approval of its client.”
Though Leica has distanced themselves from the ad and its makers (you can read about that here), the scandal hasn’t exactly died down and Leica’s name remains banned on the Chinese Internet as of press.
But, as if to add just a little bit more pain to Leica’s misery, some media outlets are pointing out that the ad, called “The Hunt,” isn’t even accurate in the first place.
That’s because all of the photographers involved in taking the Tank Man photos have said they used Nikon cameras, not Leica. This fact was discovered by German news outlet Spiegel Online.
Further, in the account of his story with the New York Times, Charlie Cole identified the cameras used as Nikon cameras.
If you’d like to watch “The Hunt,” you can do that here on YouTube.
[PetaPixel, Spiegel Online, The New York Times]Light Stalking http://bit.ly/2vDx9aZ
Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.
Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for your comment. A moderator will review and approve all relevant posts. We appreciate your support and encourage you to stay with us by subscribing to our email updates. Where you can easily pick and choose what photography subjects interests you. Subscription link: http://bit.ly/photo-sub