WWF condemns unauthorized 9/11 'scam ad'

World Wildlife Fund today issued the following statement in response to a 'scam ad' created by DDB Brazil which was posted on several Internet sites including Adsoftheworld that has been inaccurately linked to the organization and contains messages and images related to the events of 9-11.

"WWF strongly condemns this offensive and tasteless ad and did not authorize its production or publication. It is our understanding that it was a concept offered by an outside advertising agency seeking our business in Brazil. The concept was summarily rejected by WWF and should never have seen the light of day. It is an unauthorized use of our logo and we are aggressively pursuing action to have it removed from websites where it is being currently featured. We strongly condemn the messages and the images portrayed in this ad. On behalf of WWF, here in the US and around the world, we can promise you this ad does not in any way reflect the thoughts and feelings of the people of our organization."

WWF in the US also used Twitter to condemn the ad.

However, the ad is not new. It was approved by WWF Brazil according to DDB Brazil - and ran once in a small local paper. It later won a Merit Award at The One Show in May this year without attracting any controversy.

UPDATE: The controversy picked up by AdAge
UPDATE: See the video version of the ad, which DDB Brazil denies any knowledge of.