Public Makes VisitDenmark Remove Controversial Mother-Baby Ad

by Yuliya Talmazan | September 15, 2009 at 11:30 am

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When does advertising cross the line and put one nation’s reputation at stake?

Denmark’s tourism agency – VisitDenmark was trying to come up with an innovative advertising campaign to increase interest in Denmark from tourists all over the world.

But, it seems the agency went too far by putting up a video that has a young woman holding up her baby and asking the baby’s father, a tourist whom she barely knew, to come forward.

Danish public found the ad distasteful and even offensive to the country’s reputation, prompting VisitDenmark to remove the ad from YouTube. However, the video is still available for viewing.

Visit Denmark originally said this was the most successful ad campaign in their history, but under public pressure, the firm removed the film today.

"The aim was to create a positive awareness of Denmark and to jump-start conversations about Denmark," said Dorthe Kiilerich, CEO of VisitDenmark. "As we don't wish to keep causing people distress, VisitDenmark has chosen to remove the film from YouTube."