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Obama: The New Face of Tanning Salons Across Russia?
December 22, 2008 10:34 AM
By CLARISSA WARD, Correspondent, ABC News Moscow
The whole world cringed when Italian President Silvio Berlusconi congratulated President-elect Obama on his victory, describing him as “young, handsome and tanned.” People marveled that anyone, let alone a world leader, could make such a gauche comment in this era of extreme political correctness.
Here in Russia though, advertising companies took the ball and ran with it. A new publicity campaign for the Network of Tanning Studios features a photograph of a smiling Obama set against an orange background. Fliers for the tanning salon have been handed out at restaurants, cafes and shopping malls across Moscow.
In an interview with a Russian Web site, the Network of Tanning Studios said it was trying to capitalize on Obama’s positive image and the message he sent that people with dark skin could be very successful.
The Network of Tanning Studios is not the only business here cashing in on Obama’s image. Fliers for the Russian-American Dental Clinic are being distributed at metro stations across the capital. The leaflets are done in red, white and blue and feature a photograph, once again, of a beaming Obama. The writing promises “complete dental democracy,” whatever that means.
On the streets of Moscow, people seem to have mixed reactions to the fliers. One man told ABC News he thought it was a clever advertising gimmick. Another taxi driver said he thought it was awful and thoroughly offensive.
In a certain sense one has to take their hat off to the enterprise of Russian advertisers. Obama is certainly one of the most famous men in the world and this election has been one of the most closely watched in recent history. In Serbia, a fashion designer also used Obama’s near universal recognition to promote a men’s clothing collection. But in another sense, the advertisements are an embarrassment for Russia and do little to help this country’s reputation as a country that is intolerant of and insensitive to other races and ethnicities.
For the Network of Tanning Studios and the Russian-American Dental Clinic one thing is for sure: They are certainly getting people’s attention.
Read more blogs by Clarissa Ward
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December 22, 2008 in Clarissa Ward | Permalink | User Comments (11)
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Now that is funny! I have been brown skinned all my life and now my color is in vogue! That's Wild!
Posted by: Rosalynn Gatewood | Dec 22, 2008 5:18:04 PM
Come on Clarissa, this isn't news, its junk! If this article is true, then people have really lost their minds! This is insulting! This world has gone mad! This is insane!
Posted by: brannigon1 | Dec 22, 2008 5:30:51 PM
A absolute positive story. All people are better with a brown complexion. It shows a natural healthy look. Jesus probably had the same look.
Posted by: TexasDan | Dec 22, 2008 7:13:16 PM
Tanned skin can also mean damaged skin for those with fairer complexions. Let's hear how positive this story is in years to come when skin cancer cases rise among those foolish enough now to be out there frying their hides in the name of vanity.
Posted by: ObamaShallRaiseTheDead | Dec 22, 2008 10:25:30 PM
Let' tan like Big Brother Obama!
Posted by: Ford Fairlane | Dec 23, 2008 12:14:23 AM
UM..............THERE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL BLACK PEOPLE BEFORE OBAMA. WHAT THE HECK ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE THINKING? OH......THEY BELIEVE THAT ONLY MAJORITY WHITE SOCIETIES ARE PLACES OF VALUE, SO BECAUSE OBAMA IS A PRESIDENT OF A MAJORITY WHITE SOCIETY, HE IS SUCCESSFUL? RACISM IS STILL ALIVE, BUDDIES.
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Posted by: candy | Dec 23, 2008 4:27:53 AM
Hmm... I'm not so sure. I'm originally from a tropical country in Asia.
Somehow darker skin is considered unattractive over there. It has something to do with your social status.
If you're educated and have a nice job, you will be working inside in an air conditioned office and have a lighter skin.
If you're of a lower class, you will be working outside on the street or farm under the sun all day and have a dark skin.
The perceived unattractiveness of darker skin is especially true for women. Many would do anything not to look dark. They would wear a jacket to cover up their arms when they go out on the street especially when it is 100 degree out.
I remember when I was in high school, there was this girl who came from a very wealthy and prominent family, like the Kennedys here. But she had a darker skin, so the boys just avoided her.
I think in America white women with tanned skin look very unattractive.
Posted by: different point of view | Dec 23, 2008 5:28:30 AM
different point of view ...............way to rationalize your prejudice.
Posted by: hemain | Dec 23, 2008 5:45:53 AM
hemain.... thank you. I bet you have none!
Posted by: different point of view | Dec 23, 2008 6:34:39 PM
This is stupid..but funny..poor obama!! Haha
Posted by: icareforisreal | Dec 27, 2008 2:03:16 PM
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