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Doc Martens Gives Saatchi & Saatchi The Boot
Days after LAist said that Doc Martens should have its ass kicked for approving a new ad campaign depicting four punk icons in Heaven wearing nothing but sheets and the famous combat boots, the shoe manufacturer claimed no responsibility, and infact severed ties with the famous ad agency.
In a statement released today and emailed directly to LAist, Doc Martens' PR reps, Exposure, explains that Saatchi is to blame and the ads are as dead as the artists they tried to exploit.
Full on UK press release of blame action after the jump, chaps.
Hello,
Please find the formal statement issued by Dr. Martens Airwair in response to the Ads created by Saatchi & Saatchi of rock icons in Dr. Martens boots.
Sponsored message
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
DR. MARTENS REGRETS THE USE OF UNAUTHORISED IMAGES
Dr Martens is very sorry for any offense that has been caused by the publication of images showing dead rock icons wearing Dr Martens boots.
Dr Martens did not commission the work as it runs counter to our current marketing activities based on FREEDM, which is dedicated to nurturing grass roots creativity and supporting emerging talent.
As a consequence, Dr Martens has terminated its relationship with the responsible agency.
David Suddens
Sponsored message
Chief Executive
Thomas Renaud
exposureusa
We at LAist are happy to hear this news. Especially after hearing what Courtney Love's camp said about the ads this week.
Courtney has branded the ad "despicable" and insists the late Nirvana frontman would never have agreed to it. Her representative said: "Courtney had no idea this was taking place and would never have approved it. She thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use of her husband's picture."
Kurt is one of several dead rock stars being used to promote Dr. Martens' AirWair line. Sid Vicious from The Sex Pistols and The Ramones star Joey Ramone are also featured in the ads, which have only been shown in the U.K.
Courtney's representative added: "It does appear that in the U.K. what Dr. Martens has done is allowed. Courtney did not, and would not, approve of such a use of Kurt's name and likeness." - AHN
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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