Repsol courts controversy with Iwo Jima ad

Repsol is using this graphic to promote its Twitter account. Referencing the most iconic image from WWII, it depicts the Spanish oil giant’s GP racers struggling to raise a chequered flag. Joe Rosenthal’s photo of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima has come to symbolize the monumental struggle the US faced during World War II, three of the six men in it were later killed in combat. Despite several instances of adaptation, the image is largely considered off-limits for commercial use due to its importance to the American conscience. Repsol’s adaptation would be akin to Exxon repurposing Robert Capa’s photo of Fredrico Borrell Garcia’s death during the Spanish Civil War for an ad campaign here, it belittles the sacrifice our country made.

Repsol via Two Wheels Blog

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