Porsche, the renowned car brand, has found itself embroiled in controversy due to a video advertisement that digitally removed an iconic statue of Jesus Christ in Lisbon, Portugal.
The advertisement was part of Porsche’s recent campaign celebrating the enduring legacy of its Porsche 911 and highlighting a special edition model. The video showcased the evolution of the Porsche 911 over the years, featuring one of the cars driving along a road near a bridge and river in Lisbon. Notably, the statue known as Cristo Rei, a significant landmark overlooking the city with outstretched arms, was conspicuously absent from the background, even though its pedestal remained visible in the video.
This omission sparked swift criticism on social media, with users expressing their disappointment and disapproval of Porsche’s decision. One person commented, “Porsche, this isn’t cool at all,” while another accused the company of being “anti-Christ” and suggested that the ad would have been better received had the statue been left untouched. The controversy also brought up comparisons to previous advertising missteps, like the Bud Light incident.
Porsche responded to the outcry by issuing a statement to Fox News, acknowledging the oversight and expressing remorse for the hurt caused. The company stated that an earlier version of the video had omitted the Cristo Rei Statue and emphasized that the offending film had been removed.
The Cristo Rei Statue holds significant cultural and historical importance in Lisbon, symbolizing Portugal’s gratitude for its escape from the ravages of World War Two. The statue, dating back to the 1950s, is an iconic sight that stands prominently over the Tejo Estuary.
Subsequently, Porsche shared an updated version of the video, now featuring the Cristo Rei Statue, as a response to the backlash. In a pinned comment on the YouTube video, the company addressed its community, acknowledging the error and apologizing for any offense caused by the initial omission. Porsche thanked viewers for their feedback and engagement.
Ultimately, the incident serves as a reminder of the impact that cultural symbols and landmarks hold and the responsibility that brands bear in their portrayal and representation.