San Francisco Officials Pissed Justin Bieber Spray Paint Ads Haven’t Washed Away
A staged rainstorm nearly washed Justin Bieber away at the 2015 American Music Awards, but it seems graffiti promotion for his Purpose album is weathering each of San Francisco's storms, and city officials are pissed.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the Bay Area's streets were tagged with guerrilla ads earlier this year (you can see an example below) in support of Bieber's Nov. 13 Purpose release. But now that the messages are lingering on city sidewalks more than a month later — and locals have begun to complain — the City Attorney has gone after Bieber's management and issued a condemnation of the stunt yesterday (December 28).
"This prohibited marketing practice illegally exploits our City’s walkable neighborhoods and robust tourism; intentionally creates visual distractions that pose risks to pedestrians on busy rights of way; and irresponsibly tells our youth that likeminded lawlessness and contempt for public property are condoned and encouraged by its beneficiaries — including Mr. Bieber and the record labels that produce and promote him," Dennis Herrera wrote. "Our sidewalks in San Francisco are not canvasses for corporate advertising, and we have made that clear. Yet these guerrilla marketers believe they are above the law when it comes to blighting our city and we will take a strong stand against them."
Now, Herrera is working with city officials and San Francisco Public Works to compound penalties for these types of marketing strategies. Future offenders could face up to $2,500 for each violation.
Think Bay Area officials have reason to be pissed, or is it overreaction? Share your thoughts on the invincible Purpose promo.
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