Weekly Roundup: UOL Blackface, Penang artist calls out AirAsia and more

Happy Friday MARKETING-INTERACTIVE readers and welcome back to the weekly roundup. This week, the talk of the town was a blackface incident, a burning Christmas tree and an artist taking on a big brand online. 

If you need a quick summary, welcome to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's weekly roundup, a podcast and article feature in which we take you through the biggest stories of the week and take a deep dive into trending topics we've seen in the industry.

Don't miss: Design Orchard unveils 'fire deals' following Ferrero Rocher burning Christmas tree incident 

1. UOL apologises following 'blackface' backlash 

Real estate developer UOL Group (UOL) has apologised following backlash received for a recent blackface incident. According to media intelligence firm CARMA, UOL's brand sentiments after the incident is 8.3% positive and 58.3% negative. 

In the TikTok post, the attendees painted their face black and donned neon coloured jackets and pants. They are also seen wearing afro wigs and sunglasses. Following the incident, a UOL spokesperson told media that it was aware of the incident, adding that it sincerely apologises for any offence caused. 

Read more here. 

2. Ferrero Rocher Christmas tree goes up in flames over the weekend 

Over the weekend, the Ferrero Rocher Christmas tree at Design Orchard was seen going up in flames.

When MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reached out, a spokesperson from Ferrero confirmed the incident. “We can confirm a fire at the Ferrero Xmas tree at Design Orchard Level 2 Roof Garden in late November 23. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the local fire services were able to extinguish the fire quickly," said the spokesperson. 

Read more here.

3. 'We need to talk': Penang mural artist calls out AirAsia over use of his work

Penang-based Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic has called out AirAsia for using his mural featuring children on a bicycle mural its plane. In an Instagram story, the artist posted a photo of an AirAsia plane with his mural with the accompanying caption "I think we need to talk". He also tagged AirAsia's Instagram account, as well as CEO Tony Fernandes. 

When A+M reached out, Zacharevic said, "AirAsia has a history of using my work in their marketing campaigns for over a decade now. I have never been paid or credited by AirAsia, and it is undermining not only my copyrights but the rights and integrity of entire arts community in Malaysia."

Read more here.

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