Shanghaiist: Ad of the Week: Citroen vs. Chairman Mao

EL JEFE

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:34:23 +0800

If any Westerner saw Elizabeth, Churchill or Washington pictures DISTORTED, they probably wouldn't care. Can someone explain what this means? I don't get this advertisement at all. Does that facial expression mean something in Spain? It looks like disdain. Or did the car fart? Or is it just some idiot who thinks the combination of Ceasar, leaders and revolution leads to Mao? Confusing no matter what. All PR is good PR I guess.

susan2jmsun

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:41:10 +0800

Nowadays, some Chinese people hang Mao's pic on their car's front mirror, OR they paste Mao on front of their home doors. they think it can keep them safe and secure. It happens in inner land and big cities such as Shanghai as well. Will British use Elithbath I's pic distored for ad, or W. Churchill's? Will American use Washiongton's pic DISTORTED in the such case. The key point in this event is that Mao's image has been DISTORTED in this ad. Otherwise, it is perfect OK to use him, I donot think Chinese people will mind at all. they will just smile and admire Citroen's creativity.

taihanasie

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:58:13 +0800

I do think that Citroen gave in a bit too easily. If they felt it was really causing offense, they should have pulled the ad. However, they should have made a stronger case for themselves at the same time. It would not be hard to publish, at the same time as the apology, examples of creative uses of Mao's image by Chinese artists, or shown several images of Chinese-made products that whimsically use his image. Who hasn't seen Mao's face on a flashing button or a cheap, plastic watch?

nanheyangrouchuan

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:41:16 +0800

This is sick. Mao isn't even a religious figure, he is a disgusting, fat, mass murdering pedophile. Just goes to show how weak and pandering Europe is, not to mention how thin skinned the overseas chinese populations are about their butt wipe leaders.