A recent campaign by United Colors of Benetton called 'UNHATE' aims to spread the message of culture tolerance, acceptance, patience and friendliness among people. It doesn't matter who they are or where they come from. Therefore their advertisements consists of photoshopped images of world leaders kissing each other, perhaps smooching will be a more appropriate description.

They are even planning on declaring a global Unhate Day. "The first communication initiative will be the UNHATE DOVE that will carry the message of tolerance of the Foundation: the Unhate DOVE, by the cuban artist Erik Ravelo, will be built by recycling used war bullets for a 4 meter long dove that will be then donated to a country that has recently faced conflicts." describes their website.

It is undeniable that the advertising campaign cannot fail to grab attention of almost anyone in the world, while the vision behind this campaign is commendable, but are they pushing the limits a bit too much?

I mean, other than the uncomfortable image of Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, they also had the Pope Benedict XVI kissing Islamic imam, Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed el-Tayeb.



























It was quite obvious that the campaign will strike controversies and enmity (ironic isn't it?) and Benetton was eventually forced by the Vatican to remove Pope's humiliating image who believe that such an act is  "totally unacceptable".

“This is a grave lack of respect for the Pope,” said a very angry Vatican spokesperson, Rev. Federico Lombardi. “We cannot but express a resolute protest at the entirely unacceptable use of a manipulated image of the Holy Father, used as part of a publicity campaign which has commercial ends.”


























The White House on the other hand is equally furious, 'coz you can see that the campaign has dedicated two images for President Barrack Obama, one kissing the Venezuelan President and the other with Chinese leader, Hu Jianto.

“The White House has a long-standing policy disapproving of the use of the president’s name and likeness for commercial purposes,” said spokesman Eric Schultz. But the images are still there and will be seen in upcoming issues of magazines like, New York Magazine and The Economist.

























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