Users quickly pointed out that this was all part of the brand’s advertising effort to generate buzz online by Puma.
Actor Anushka Sharma on Monday startled her social media fans and Instagram users after she lambasted sportswear company Puma for exploiting her photographs “without permission”. The brand has answered, and the response has left social media users perplexed.
Puma India resorted to Instagram and shared a photo of what looks to be a contract. The picture includes the words “Puma x Anushka” and a “secret” stamp. In addition to the photo, the corporation stated, “We should have contacted you earlier, @anushkasharma! Should we proceed?”
“I’ll sleep on it,” the actress remarked on her Instagram stories after reposting the same.
In an Instagram story uploaded yesterday, the actor reposted the brand’s promotional image and said, “Hey, @PumaIndia? I’m sure you’re aware that you must obtain permission before using my imagery for publicity purposes because I am not your ambassador.”
The actress had requested that the image be removed, writing, “Please take it down,” accompanied with furious emojis to convey her disgust. It was also shared by her husband, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. “Please straighten this out, Puma India,” he wrote.
Users were quick to point out that this was all part of the brand’s advertising plan to generate buzz online.
“At best, a promotional technique,” one user said.
“Marketing on spot,” commented another.
“Puma Marketing Team >>> Zomato Marketing Team,” claimed another.
“2 minutes of quiet for those who believe this is a serious war,” a fourth user added.
Other businesses employed a similar tactic online. Malaika Arora just published a mysterious Instagram image with the message, “I said yes.” Many internet users assumed it was a declaration about her boyfriend, Arjun Kapoor. She subsequently disclosed, however, that “she said yes” to a reality programme named “Moving In With Malaika,” which is presently airing on Disney+Hotstar.
