Is this Image Offensive?

In our 2008 article on Chinese recalls and product safety issues,
we used the "cheese grater slide image to present a
serious topic in an offbeat way. One reader in the over
10,000 who opened this e-mail was offended.

We ask you for your input on this.
Were we out of line in using this picture?
Was the image in poor taste?

We want to know!

A READER WROTE:
“I think the picture of the child going down the slide shows extremely poor taste as a general awareness/promotional ad. Sending something like that on a personal level in an email as a joke is one thing, but please, it's hardly appropriate for promoting products, services or awareness on a business level. The person who approved this concept needs to be reprimanded. If this is the extent of the creative capacity of your marketing department then please don't bother sending me anymore of this crap.”

We appreciate comments we receive both negative and positive and I'm sorry someone found the "cheese grater slide” image offensive. I’m the one who should be reprimanded as I oversee the PromoTips content. PromoTips may not be for this reader and that’s OK. I have offered to permanently remove him from our database.

Jeff Solomon, MAS - FreePromoTips.com

WE INVITE YOU TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!

Comments

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0 #131 Joanne W 2010-08-19 03:28

I didn't see this the first time around and I found the image provocative, rather than funny. What a creative way to show potential danger to kids! I understand it was with an article about the recall. GREAT way to capture attention. And if we're talking about it this much after the original, then it's REALLY a powerful message. Bravo!

0 #130 Jaqui Phillips 2010-08-18 19:12

I thought it was hysterical for the idea to catch attention, because really no one would ever do such a thing.

0 #129 Diane 2010-08-18 18:26

It's funny at first, but after a few seconds, the visuals come in and it becomes horrifying. Especially as someone who loves kids so much.
However, I think it packs a wallop and I applaud the nerve. I only wish we, as a country had the collective nerve to drive Chinese products back to their shores, and protect our jobs, homes, and families, especially in this atrocious business environment. If anyone is offended by that well... you can guess what I might say next.

0 #128 Thea 2010-08-18 18:16

I don't know that I think the image is funny? But I do know that it caught my attention, and made me read the article. This is important information, and we need to stay ahead on this information. Good Job

0 #127 Pat Sumstine 2010-08-18 16:13

Life is too important to be taken seriously. Some people just need to get a life. You do a great job, and for free!

0 #126 Paula 2010-08-18 15:57

Did not see the original piece, but anything "taken out of context" is bound to offend someone. I believe that paired with an article speaking to hazards is quite appropriate and fitting -- after all, would you send your child down a cheese-grater?
Very ingenious image! This is not offensive coupled with the article.

0 #125 Scott Larsen MAS 2010-08-18 15:35

I remember seeing it before. It is disturbing but very memorable. I wasn't offended.

0 #124 Captain Foods Inc 2010-08-18 14:25

It is still getting attention, even in 2010! That says something! It drove the point across. Bravo!

0 #123 ART RAGO 2010-08-18 13:08

This Country as a whole needs to lighten up and pay more attention to the Current Admistration manipulation of the Constitution and their AGENDA.

0 #122 ART RAGO 2010-08-18 13:06

Gentlemen: This is a great themed picture. Having been the target of this type of "Witch Hunt" about 35 years ago, it is absurd. A Certified Testing Lab was give samples of our product that a News Media Network deemed a "Health Hazard" due to Lead in the ink found ity would have req'd. a child to suck the ink off of 400 pieces of our product, which was not designed as a childs toy, but proclaimed to be by the News person, before they would get a stomach ache.

We have way too much gov't in our lives and our business. We need more Cheese Graters!

0 #121 Diane Newby 2010-08-16 23:52

I did not see the original article, but I do know who gets hurt when there is lead in paint. It is the children, I'm sure that the picture made people want to read the article and find out what it was about.
Smart I think, a Child with Lead poisoning is not a pretty thing. So I think making people aware and informed... Smart

0 #120 Linda Mellin 2010-08-16 23:23

I thought it was hilarious. It was very creative and made it's point. You will find someone getting offended over just about anything these days. Ignore it. If you start getting 10-20 people offended, then maybe take a closer look.

+1 #119 Trohies Inc. 2010-08-12 17:28

I think that people should really get a life. Why does EVERYTHING have to be so politically correct these days. Come On... It would be offensive if the child was actually sliding down a grater, but it was to illustrate a point. If someone finds it offensive then there is a little "x" at the top of the screen which enables you to click off of the picture. I got the message which you were trying to get across and the point you were making. I think it's just another thing that people have to gripe about. I think we need to quit pacifying and coddling folks that have nothing better to do than to look for something that they can gripe about. We need to stand up in our thoughts, values, and opinions and quit apologizing for the way we feel. Click the on/off switch if you don't like what you see, get a life, find a hobby, and quit trying to cause trouble by acting like a wimp. By the way... did I mention that this is NOT OFFENSIVE!!!!!! !!

+1 #118 Rick Naberschnig 2010-08-12 16:04

I don't find it offensive. I find it humorous.

-1 #117 Alison Luckett 2010-08-12 15:11

I don't I understand how anyone on earth could think this picture is funny. I didn't see the article, so I don't know the context - although from reading the other comments I gather it's something to do with danger in the lead content of the paint on the slide. That being said, there is no context that could justify a picture of a child about to be hurt - even in jest. I think we all realize that this picture is not real; but the image it conjures of what is about to happen to the child is inappropriate in any circle - business or otherwise.

+1 #116 Shannon Markley 2010-07-02 15:15

OMG this is too funny! People need to get a life! Offensive...really?

0 #115 Stan Roberts 2010-03-08 13:36

If we are in a CREATIVE industry, then when it comes to warning people about a possible problem, then DUHHHH !!! If people think this was thats offensive: Just look around and open the eyes

0 #114 Bill Simon 2008-09-11 10:20

I missed the satirical picture of the Chinese product recall, but HAD I seen it, I would\'ve gotten the gist of the message as that is the type of \"communication\" method I find the more practical.

I have learned that the \"world\" does not, for some strange reason, always \"get\" my own sense of humor.

This letter writer to you did not \"get\" the point. Too many people in today\'s world DON\'T EVER get it because they have no ability to interpret things. They just look at a picture or read words without thinking anything further. That\'s their problem.

Jeff, I think you should keep on doing things the way you do them. The letter writer is an infinitesimal representative of the \"world that NEVER gets some things.\"

0 #113 Julie Woodall 2008-09-11 07:19

I thought it was pretty funny - I have seen it before and sent it to some of my friends that I knew would find it humorous. I do not think it is something for a business publication to use, even if it does illustrate a point about being aware of what is being manufactured in your name and imported to the US.

0 #112 kathy forrester, owner Divine 2008-08-21 15:55

While it may be a bit painful to imagine going down that slide, it conveys the thought behind the article.
I\'m with Free Promo Tips on this one.

PS Love the website! Very Useful.

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