Adidas again got into a scandal: the company is forced to remove advertising with Bella Hadid

The German sportswear manufacturer Adidas has again found itself at the center of a scandal. The company had to remove a photo of American model Bella Hadid from an advertisement for sports shoes that were first released for the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Why did the advertising campaign cause outrage?

The ad, which was meant to celebrate the historic shoe, unexpectedly attracted attention because of its context. During the 1972 Olympic Games, the Palestinian group "Black September" broke into the Olympic Village and killed 11 members of the Israeli team. The use of this date in the advertising campaign was perceived as inappropriate and a gross violation of ethical norms.

"This was unacceptable and we apologize to anyone who may have been offended by our ad, " commented an Adidas representative.

How will it affect the brand?

This incident could seriously affect the reputation of Adidas. The brand has been in similar situations before, but this time the public outcry could have long-lasting consequences. Bella Hadid, known for her political views, may also be affected by this scandal.

Public reaction

Social networks exploded with criticism. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction not only with the fact of the advertisement itself, but also with the company's reaction. Despite the apology, many believe it is not enough.

"Adidas should scrutinize their ad campaigns more carefully. This isn't the first time they've caused outrage, " wrote one user on Twitter.

What's next?

Adidas promises to conduct an internal investigation and review its advertising strategies. The company also plans to implement additional ethical checks before launching new campaigns.

This incident highlights the importance of careful preparation and caution when creating promotional materials. Despite all efforts, one mistake can have serious consequences for a brand.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova