Apple has censored the poster of Mad Men by photoshopping the cigarette out of the man's hand from iTunes. The new 'clean' image is used to promote the download of the full first season of the beloved TV show.
I think Apple has gone too far. This unnecessary censorship takes away from the spirit of the show. It's just a damn cigarette!
According to Wikipedia, the AMC TV show is set in New York City, and "takes place in the 1960s at the fictional Sterling Cooper advertising agency on New York City's Madison Avenue. It centers on a high-level advertising executive, and the people in his life in and out of the office. It also depicts the changing social mores of early 1960s America."
Mad Men won two awards at the 2007 Golden Globes, including Best Television Series--Drama.
Censoring Cigarettes
iTunes Removes Mad Men Cigarette
Trend Themes
1. Censorship of Visual Content - The removal of cigarettes from images in media platforms presents an opportunity for innovative solutions in content moderation and editing tools.
2. Changing Social Norms in Media - The evolving perspectives on tobacco use in media content creates a demand for alternative narratives and representations in TV shows and movies.
3. Ethical Advertising Practices - The increasing scrutiny over advertising content opens up possibilities for disruptive innovations in creating responsible and socially-conscious ads.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Entertainment - The media and entertainment industry could explore new ways to adapt to changing cultural norms and preferences regarding the portrayal of tobacco in TV shows and movies.
2. Digital Content Moderation - The digital content moderation industry could develop advanced tools and technologies to enable accurate and efficient recognition and editing of objectionable content, such as cigarettes in images.
3. Advertising and Marketing - The advertising and marketing industry should embrace ethical practices and explore creative strategies for engaging audiences without relying on tobacco-related imagery or messaging.