Eva Mendes Calvin Klein ad censored by US broadcasters

by Oona Haas, Brand Republic 06-Aug-08, 14:25

NEW YORK - US TV networks have refused to air an ad for Calvin Klein's new fragrance Secret Obsession, which features Hollywood actress Eva Mendes nude and tangling herself in wrinkled sheets.

Fabien Baron, creative director and founder of the fragrance brand's advertising agency Baron & Baron, was dismayed by the broadcast refusal and has put the blame on the politics surrounding American television.

In defending the Secret Obsession campaign, the creative director has been widely quoted criticising President George W Bush.

"You must be kidding me," he said. "This country really needs a new president -- this is so messed up. It's such a joke and it's quite upsetting, frankly, how hypocritical this country has become. It's OK for children to see people killed by guns? Spreading a little love right now would be a good idea."

Other associates of the Secret Obsession project seem more optimistic. Tom Murry, president and chief operating officer of Calvin Klein Inc., told The New York Daily News that he was not surprised by the TV executives' reception of the ads and that customers will be able to easily access the "banned" video via the Calvin Klein website.

Despite this confident claim, director Steven Miesel's work will only be shown on US television in a censored version and only after 9pm. The "uncut" version is due for broadcast on European television in September.