One of the arguments I generally make about Web 2.0 is that, if you are an organization who happens to screw up, you should apologize and move on. Don't try to cover your tracks or shut your critics up - you'll just invite mockery and even more attention than you did before.
Unfortunately, Ralph Lauren apparently doesn't agree with that strategy. They've demanded that Photoshop Disasters and Boing Boing take down images of a Ralph Lauren ad that was so badly photoshopped, many thought it was satire.
The ad depicted a model who was so grotesquely emaciated and doll-like (her head was bigger than her hips) she simply had to be digitally edited. And she apparently was, if Ralph Lauren's reaction is any indication:
In a statement, Ralph Lauren acknowledged that the image had been doctored.
"For over 42 years we have built a brand based on quality and integrity. After further investigation, we have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman's body. We have addressed the problem and going forward will take every precaution to ensure that the caliber of our artwork represents our brand appropriately," according to the statement. (source)
Did you see an apology? Neither did I. But Ralph Lauren demanded that both PD and Boing Boing take down the image from their blog posts. That kind of thing always works so well, doesn't it?*
As you can imagine, Boing Boing was cowed and immediately caved (not):
When Ralph Lauren tried to remove a creepily retouched advertisement from the net, was it embarrassed by graphic design woes, or by a cutting hatchet job by an unknown prankster?
It's obvious by now that Ralph Lauren *hates* being mocked. They hate being mocked so much that they ordered their attack lawyers to send letters trying to fool ISPs into pulling an "infringing" advertisement featuring a ridiculously skinny model (in fact, our posting of the image was fair use, not infringement; Ralph Lauren's takedown notices are bogus and they should know better). (source)
No one seems to know where the original ad came from or who did the crappy photoshopping - if you know, contact Boing Boing. In the meantime, for your entertainment, here's a roundup of tasteless photoshop ad disasters that should never have happened, courtesy of ABC. (wonder if ABC's getting take-down notices for posting the ad? What do you think, boys and girls? Are there different rules for bloggers?)
*See the Streisand Effect
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So now Ralph Lauren is going to be known for both deceptive photo manipulation and DMCA bullying.
Put up the fucking ad photo, BioE!!!!!! SACK UP!!!!!!
Sadly, if I had seen that ad in Vogue (which I probably would have if I weren't 6 months behind on the magazine), I wouldn't have looked twice at it. One comes to expect models that look inhuman.
Wow! I had not seen that photo before, and I am stunned by it's surreal proportions. One must imagine that it went through multiple hands- editors, proofers, ad execs, all of whom must have at some point given the "thumbs up" to this... uh... photograph.
As always, catching up on your blog is one of the highlights of my week.