M&S to drop Bryan Ferry following Nazi comments

by James Quilter, Marketing 17-Apr-07, 10:50

LONDON - Marks & Spencer is planning to ditch Bryan Ferry as brand ambassador following the singer's reported remarks praising Nazi imagery, according to sources.

In an interview with a German newspaper Ferry said he admired iconography the Nazis used and the way they presented political rallies. Despite apologising later for any offence caused insiders say M&S will not be using him again.

Ferry has appeared in a number of print and outdoor campaigns for M&S's Autograph menswear range. The current campaign was shot by fellow musician Bryan Adams and includes Dan Gillespie-Sells singer with band The Feeling.

M&S was unable to comment on Ferry's remarks and said no decision had been made on who would be appearing in the next Autograph campaign. However insiders close to the brand say he will not be used for the campaign.

Comments

Mark Griffiths - 17/04/2007

This may appear to play into the hands of the anti-PC merchants. It just goes to show that, in this country, you can still say anything you want. But if you engage your mouth before your brain, you may well pay a very high price for what people insist on calling freedom of speech. Say what you like, but reap the consequences.

jonathan choat - 17/04/2007

Have we not yet got fed up with the pathetic pandering to the guilt mongers 'in case ' we might be seen to even allow for perfectly valid opinions , which have nothing to do with all the angst - isms they like to inflict on us ? It is time big brands grew up and stood up to such sanctimonious cavilling.

Phil Carpenter - 18/04/2007

Frankly, to paraphrase Lord Janner. 'Ferry's almost immediate apology, mitigated any offence caused. And the matter should be considered closed'. It would be interesting to see how many complaints M&S received after this story broke. Clearly, connecting their brand with personal comments made is the problem. With the benefit of hindsight were unlikely to have been made.