Disney Publicist In Trouble For Taking 'Sexist' Photo With Mommy Bloggers
He is smiling awkwardly in front of a mugshot wall and holding a sign that reads "Hi Mom."
Weinbaum apologized and explained to Adweek, where you can see the controversial photo, that he was just trying to spoof of the iconic "National Lampoon's Vacation" promo poster with four of his friends.
Weinbaum didn't predict the backlash the picture would cause.
The blogosphere jumped into action over what Jezebel called the "photo-fail" after blogger Liz Henry Photoshopped the pic, labeling the women "Mom Bloggers," and wrote a scathing article calling Weinbaum a "raging douche bag."
According to Henry, the "sexist" scene depicted in Weinbaum's picture inappropriately makes light of the captive hold Disney's marketers have over mommy bloggers. Bloggers look to publicists like Weinbaum to gain work covering Disney products and invitations to events like the Disney Social Media Mom's Conference.
The concern is that Weinbaum is a man whose position gives him control over women. And this photo, despite being a spoof of the "National Lampoon" poster, emphasized what Henry calls his "dominance."
FacebookWeinbaum's Facebook profile.Many bloggers who have worked with Weinbaum argued in his defense to Adweek, one calling him a "very sweet man."
Nevertheless, Weinbaum responded by taking down the photo, telling Adweek:
“This was so unintentional and if the people who wrote the negative article about me knew me at all, they would think the photo was goofy and silly. But out of respect for their opinions, I decided myself to take the photo down.”