Grey Begs Bloggers to Stop Posting Mao Condom Ads; Grovels to "Offended" Chinese Officials

Grey Group is begging bloggers to stop posting an ad it created for Doc Morris Pharmacies condoms that shows an image of Mao Zedong in the form of a sperm. The ad suggests that using the condom will prevent you from creating a new diabolical world leader.

But the ad has apparently offended the Chinese government, so Grey has rushed out an apology and a statement disowning the ad (click to enlarge image):

Recently an ad execution from Grey Germany, which has never appeared in any paid media, found its way to internet websites devoted to showcasing advertising. We have asked that the ad be taken down immediately.

We understand that the ad offended the sensibilities of people in China for its visual reference to Chairman Mao. Grey has offered a heartfelt apology and formally contacted the Chinese embassy in Germany to assure them this unauthorized ad will never run. We have the utmost respect for China, its people, culture and institutions.

Different executions of the ads featured Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden.

(Backstory for Generation Y: Mao was the communist who led the Chinese revolution against the Kuomintang. His regime lifted the country out of famine but plunged it into decades of oppression from which China is only now slowly emerging.)

BNET’s take: It’s hard to tell whether Grey is enjoying the publicity and laughing behind the scenes at the bonkers demands of Chinese communist officials; or whether Grey is deadly serious because WPP chief Martin Sorrell has sensitive business interests in China that could easily be nixed by the communists or his other partners.