International bulletin: Yves Saint Laurent accused of misogyny, Ford lauds India progress
Plus Japan shouts about its ownership of the Wagyu beef brand and a look inside the TalkTalk ‘Indian scam call centre’.
Yves Saint Laurent ad is branded ‘misogynistic’
A new campaign from Yves Saint Laurent has come under fire for promoting what critics have branded “porno chic” models.
The campaign, which was supposed to build momentum ahead of Paris Fashion Week, featured a thin model in fishnet tights opening her legs for the camera. While another image from the campaign features a model in a leotard and roller skate stilettos bending over a stool.
French advertising watchdog Autorité de Régulation Professionnelle de la Publicité has already received 120 complaints since the ads went up across Paris last week. The watchdog’s director Stéphane Martin said the campaign “seriously contravenes respect for decency and dignity.”
Did Yves Saint Laurent go too far with this provocative campaign? Judge for yourself.
READ MORE: ‘Misogynist’ YSL Ads Shock Parisians Ahead of International Women’s Day
Ford talks up its progress in the Indian market
Ford says it has invested $2bn (£1.6bn) into the Indian market and in an interview with the Indian Economic Times, Peter Fleet, vice-president of marketing for Ford Asia Pacific, said the car brand is working on a plan to become more profitable in India.
He revealed: “We have invested $2bn in India, we have two big manufacturing plants, two engine plants and there was an additional investment at the end of 2016 in our R&D depot there. All of this demonstrates where we believe India is heading.
“Today it is the fifth largest market in the world, and is set to become number three by the end of the decade, and by our projection, it could also become number two in a decade and a half.”
Fleet believes India will be the second largest car market in the world by 2031 and said brands must invest there or risk being left behind.
READ MORE: Ford is the second fastest growing brand in India now, says Peter Fleet
BBC looks inside the TalkTalk ‘Indian scam call centre’
According to a new BBC investigation, TalkTalk customers are being targeted by a vast fraud network based in India.
The scale of the operation has been revealed by three sources, who say they were employed by a gang of professional fraudsters. The sources also describe working in “call centres” in two Indian cities.
In what will come as a blow to the broadband and TV provider, the whistleblowers say they were given a script in which they were told to claim they were calling from TalkTalk.
TalkTalk was hit by an infamous cyber-attack on these shores back in October 2015, although the latest violation isn’t thought to be related.
READ MORE: Inside the TalkTalk ‘Indian scam call centre’
Japan beefs up its Wagyu brand
When you think of Japanese food, it’s safe to say Wagyu beef is part of the conversation and in an effort to talk up its association to the cut of beef, the Asian country has launched a new logo.
The Japan Livestock Products Export Promotion has created a new logo for the overseas promotion of Wagyu beef in a bid to show off its origin. It removes the word “Wagyu” and replaces it with the word “Japan”.
The move is thought to be in order to differentiate from Australian Wagyu, which the association described as “bland” in flavour. We sense Japan might have some serious beef with the Aussies.
READ MORE: Japan beefs up its ownership of Wagyu, launching new logo
Major Vietnamese brands pull away from YouTube
According to multiple reports, several major brands including Vinamilk (pictured) and Vietnam Airways have pulled all of their advertising off of YouTube.
It is thought the moves follow a government investigation which deemed videos on the website to be ‘illegal’.
According to a spokesperson for the Vietnamese government, there were almost 20 YouTube videos containing content that “distorted historical facts about Vietnam that could stir public unrest”. The videos contained associated adverts with several popular Vietnamese brands, hence the decision to back away.
