ION Orchard removes image accused of plagiarism: ‘We respect the creative rights of artists and expect the same of our agencies’
ION Orchard has removed an image used in a promotion that was accused of plagiarising the work of a top fashion photographer, and said that it respects the intellectual property rights of artists and expects the same of the creative partners that it works with.
The high-end shopping mall on Singapore’s Orchard Road used an image, created by local agency Tofu Design, for a spring/summer promo that was deemed to have copied a piece by Tim Walker, and debate about the similarities between the two works emerged in social media just before the weekend.
KL-based creative CK Koo pointed out the similarities between the two works – which both feature a white-robed woman next to a white peacock – in a post on Facebook, using the words “Sadly, when copying in this industry becomes common.”
In a statement after Mumbrella’s story was published on Monday, the shopping mall said: “ION Orchard respects and supports the creative and intellectual property rights of artists, and we expect the same of the entities we work with. We have removed the image in question.”
The image has been taken down from ION’s website and from other marketing collateral supporting the ‘Spring magnificence’ campaign, according to the company.
In a separate statement, the agnecy told Mumbrella: “Tofu acknowledges that we worked on ION Orchard’s recent Spring/Summer campaign 2016 and should have exercised better oversight and control over its contents. We have worked with our client to remove the image in question. We maintain that we respect creative integrity in what we do. We sincerely apologise for any distress and inconveniences caused to ION Orchard and any parties involved.”
Tim Walker has been approached for comment.
Well done mumbrella for keeping everyone honest.
Scammers and plagiarists now know they cant hide.
The next target should be the ones who hide their ignorance behind cliches and jargon.
ReplyAnywhere else, an agency who did this would be fired in view of the possible legal ramifications for the client. It is embarrassing to the client and the local industry here. Ion has long been known for being cheap as a client – well, now they get what they paid for. Other than a slap on the wrist, maybe it’s time they changed agencies? What “creative control” is there when you’re copying a famous visual outright?
ReplyWonder if the agency will need to refund the creative fees charged. This is the only deterrent that will make them take such matters seriously.
ReplyHmmm. Wonder who’s at fault here? Clients who agreed to let this run or the agency for being lazy enough to create a 90% copy of Tim Walker’s work. yes it’s been said that there’s nothing original anymore these days but seriously, it’s an outright copy of the photographer’s work of Jennifer Lawrence in W magazine from Septemeber 2012. How to respect an agency that still says it values “creative integrity” when there’s obviously no integrity?!
ReplyNothing wrong with copying the concept. Many others can shoot wide dress, white bird photo.
The audience does not care.
The campaign is judged on whether it effectively engages the target group.
Reply@keehan I sincerely hope you are not from the advertising industry. If you are, then there is a real reason to worry about the future of it. (unless you are the designer from Tofu who copied the work – which would explain your state of delusional thinking.)
ReplyIt is so obvious that they copied.
ReplyHave your say