Reebok forced to pull controversial advertisement
Sportswear brand Reebok, a subsidiary of German sports brand adidas, has been forced to pull a controversial local advertising campaign after a public backlash.
The advertisement has been removed from display following widespread complaints.
The poster, which ran at a gym affiliated with the brand in Germany, was intended to motivate, with the slogan: “Cheat on your girlfriend, not on your workout”. Instead, however, it was met with a consumer backlash, and the sportswear firm pulled the advertisement and acknowledged that it was “offensive”.
The promotional mistake was not part of a worldwide marketing campaign, but because of social media, the reaction has been international.
A spokesman for Reebok has issued a public apology. Dan Sarro told media: “We regret that some offensive Reebok materials were recently printed. The signs were removed as soon as we were made aware of them. I can assure you that Reebok does not condone this message or cheating in any way. We apologise for the offensive nature of these materials, and are disappointed that they appeared at all.”
