Taiwan: 7-Eleven Taiwan Forced to Suspend Sales on Cartoon Products
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Thursday, 29 September 2011 |
The 7-Eleven chain in Taiwan has suspended sales of cartoon products after a fierce protest from the Israeli Economic and Cultural Office. The key rings, USB sticks and magnets featured a character that the de-facto embassy in Taipei said resembled Hitler.
"We were appalled to see the Hitler lookalike image being used, again, as a marketing aid and sold in Taiwan's 7-Eleven stores," said Israel's representative to Taiwan, Simona Halperin, in a statement. "I find it tragic that once again people down the chain of marketing and promotion fail to recognize the meaning of the Dark Age in human history that the Nazi dictator represents," she added.
The character was not intended to look like Hitler, despite a prominent toothbrush moustache, according to its creator and 7-Eleven Taiwan. However, the chain, which runs over 4,400 stores on the island, bowed to pressure by withdrawing the products after three years.
"Because there are people with doubts, we've stopped selling the products for now," said a 7-Eleven representative.CW 280911
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