Someone definitely should have checked these ads more carefully before giving them the green light.
This week, a bunch of public buses in San Francisco have been cruising around with large pink objects attached to their fronts, sparking complaints. However, the city maintains that those upset might be overreacting.
The elongated image resembles a body part, but the MTA insists it’s meant to represent a finger. Reports from local media confirm the unusual situation.
A concerned resident shared a photo on social media, highlighting a pink figure peeking out from behind the MTA’s iconic logo.
The transit agency seemed taken aback and even asked the individual if they could identify the bus number to track it.
The response? “No, just a picture of a wiener,” came back swiftly.
The MTA informed a reporter that they had no role in the risqué ad but would take it down immediately.
According to a spokesperson, they collaborate with a third-party advertiser that manages the content approval process, which raised some eyebrows considering how this particular image slipped through.
In response to the controversy, the agency emphasized that they have policies to help avoid community issues, particularly concerning sensitive content. They also stated they can swiftly remove offending ads if necessary, which they intend to do in this case.
Interestingly, Muni staff noted that the poorly received image was actually meant to display a finger. One communications director even quoted C.S. Lewis, implying that perception is shaped by perspective.
Ultimately, this ad was for a tool called Framer, which specializes in web design and content. It’s a bit baffling what the AI company was thinking, and it remains uncertain how such an image made it past the scrutiny of their advertising partner.
No comment has yet been received from Framer or Intersection regarding this mishap.
