Agency Apologises (And Loses Client) For Ad Featuring Journalist Executed By Islamic State

Agency Apologises (And Loses Client) For Ad Featuring Journalist Executed By Islamic State

The boss of a US marketing agency has issued a lengthy apology for using an image of a journalist executed by Islamic State in a client’s social media campaign.

Valor Media CEO Michael Valor took to Twitter this week to address a tweet the agency posted on behalf of client Z-Burger, which included a photo of a hamburger and of American journalist James Foley just before he was executed by Islamic State in 2014.

Z-Burger tweet

It’s understood that the tweet was removed within an hour of being posted, and Valor issued a lengthy three-part video apology on social media.

Valor noted in a follow-up tweet that he has also talked to Foley’s mother about the blunder, and that the agency will be sponsoring James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

However, Valor’s words weren’t enough for Z-Burger owner Peter Tabibian, who issued a statement saying it had terminated its relationship with Valor Media.

Tabibian also apologised profusely to customers, admitting that he failed to properly supervise the tweets that Valor Media had created for Z-Burger.

Valor issued another video this morning in which he further repented his sins and highlighted the importance of internet responsibility.




Latest News

The Mars Agency Announces Latest Findings Of Retail Media Report Card
  • Advertising

The Mars Agency Announces Latest Findings Of Retail Media Report Card

The Mars Agency has developed a scorecard that assesses the capabilities of leading platforms across key criteria required to optimally plan, execute, and measure effective retail media programs. The scorecard aims To help brands efficiently evaluate their spending options across retail media networks in Australia (and New Zealand). With spending on retail media advertising in […]

TV Ratings (27/03/2024): Jungle Members At War Over Concealed Lipstick
  • TV Ratings

TV Ratings (27/03/2024): Jungle Members At War Over Concealed Lipstick

A heated argument between two jungle members did the numbers for Ten last night, with I’m A Celeb obtaining a total national reach of 1,282,000. Fans were delighted as Candice Warner and influencer Skye Wheatley got into it over a stick of lipstick, leading Warner to dub the Instagram star “selfish.” Wheatley, best known for […]