‘Burger King digitally raped my face,’ says model in controversial Singapore ‘blow job ad’
A model who appeared in a controversial ad for Burger King in Singapore from 2009 has lashed out in a self-created video on YouTube in which she says was unaware how her image would be used.
In a video entitled, ‘Burger King digitally-raped my face’, the model claims that a photo of her was sourced online and she had not agreed to it being used in the ad, which depicted an open-mouthed woman about to eat a BK Super Seven Incher and the words, “It’ll blow your mind away.”
“Is this an ad for blow-jobs or fast food?” she questioned in the video which ends with the words #Facerape on screen followed by a call to boycott the brand.
In the description block beneath the YouTube video, the model – who has withheld her name – wrote:
Burger King found my photo online from a series I did of various facial expressions and contortion poses, and with no due regard to me as a person, profited off reducing me to an orifice for their penis sludge; publicly humiliating me in the process. It was shown online as well as on bus stops and the walls and place mats of their restaurant.
When asked for comment from the press Burger King claimed the campaign went down well, however after some research I discovered The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (where it was released) received several complaints and the campaign had to be prematurely removed.
This is a top International food chain the world is watching that has a code of ethics they’re required to adhere to for that reason by law but did not in how they went about using my image.
Now due to the coverage its received (Time Magazine’s Top Ten Tasteless Ads, Business Insider, Buzzfeed, Gawker, Psychology Today to name a few) it’s part of the public domain. Just recently it was the topic of discussion in a media studies class of 500 students at the University of Toronto – where I live… and posted to the class Facebook discussion page.Friends, family, coworkers, prospective employers who saw it assume I was a willing player. Those offended by it don’t know the extent of what’s wrong with the ad; that I didn’t know about this being done to my image, let alone agree to or pose for the scenario.
Why not hire a model to pose with the sandwich?
There is something VERY wrong with the fact that they felt entitled to do that to my face without signing a contract with me.
I believe in sexual expression in art and the media; it’s beautiful and necessary for a healthy society but IT MUST BE CONSENSUAL otherwise it’s RAPE.
Nice family restaurant you’re running there Burger King.
#boycottbk #facerape#SuckOnYourOwnSlimySevenIncher
The campaign was created by Singapore agency Religion, which closed following the move of founder Francis Wee to Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai in 2012.
At the time it was created, Burger King moved to distance itself from the ad, which was attacked online for being sexist. The company said in a statement from its global HQ in the US: “This advertisement is running to support a limited promotion in the Singapore market and is not running in the U.S. or any other markets. It was produced by a locally-based Singapore agency and not by BKC’s U.S. advertising agency of record, Crispin Porter and Bogusky.”
The amount of time that has passed between the ad and this complaint is remarkable. Makes you wonder if this is just a publicity stunt. In no way did i think blowjob when i saw this ad….i just saw a badly thought out crap ad.
Replywell this is a LOL
ReplyI did not make the connection either, until it was mentioned
Reply“When asked for comment from the press Burger King claimed the campaign *went down* well”
(facepalm)
ReplyI disagree that this is a publicity stunt. It is suggested in the first comment that the amount of time that has passed brings the womans claim into question. By what logic? There are any number of reasons why she may not have complained earlier – she was younger and maybe she thought it would go away. She explains that it was recently the topic of discussion in a class of 500 people in her home town. Sounds like she’s had enough of it and she feels bold enough to speak up. Good on her!
ReplyEver heard of the statute of limitations? Plus this is such a shaky claim….good luck proving to a judge, BEYOND ALL DOUBT, that this ad is referring to a blowjob.
ReplyDidn’t make the connection? Maybe if you live under a rock and are a eunuch.
It’ll BLOW your mind away? The seven incher? A picture of a woman with her mouth wide open to receive it? I’m sorry, but even the crustiest judge could see the connection. There is utterly no doubt, and it’s disgusting that anyone would accuse her of doing it on purpose. “She was asking for it,” eh?
ReplyWell, im am fine with the ad due to creativity essence but not getting permission, thats not gracious … Learn some manners , agency!
ReplyHave your say