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  Zara Ads Banned for Featuring "Unhealthily Thin" Models – ASA Ruling, Brand Response & Industry Impact Key Takeaways UK’s ASA banned two Zara ads for depicting “unhealthily thin” models, citing irresponsible imagery . One ad highlighted a model’s “protruding collarbones”; another used shadows/posing to create “gaunt” impressions . Zara removed the ads, citing models’ health certifications and only “minor lighting/coloring edits” . ASA’s 2025 rulings extend to Marks & Spencer and Next for similar “irresponsible” portrayals . Debate persists: Why target thinness but not overweight imagery? ASA’s criteria remain unclarified . The Bones of the Matter The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned two Zara ads this week. They called the images “irresponsible.” One showed a woman in an oversized shirt. Her collarbone jutted out like a shelf. The shirt’s low cut made it a “focal feature” . Another model wore a short dress. Shadows pooled around her legs. Her slicked-back...

Key Takeaways Skydance commits to 2-year CBS News ombudsman role reporting to Paramount’s president to evaluate bias complaints . Paramount eliminated all DEI programs in February 2025, removing diversity hiring goals and its Office of Global Inclusion . FCC Chairman Brendan Carr conditioned merger approval on DEI elimination, calling such programs “invidious discrimination” . $16M Trump lawsuit settlement preceded the FCC deal, with rumors of $20M more in PSA commitments . The Ombudsman Gambit Skydance lawyer Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon put it in writing July 22. An ombudsman will take complaints about CBS News. Report straight to New Paramount’s president. For two years minimum. This person judges “bias or other concerns.” McKinnon cited Comcast’s NBCUniversal deal as precedent. Said the FCC liked this setup before. Called it a “mechanism effective in preventing editorial bias.” Jeff Shell becomes New Paramount’s president. David Ellison sits as CEO. They want this merger done . DEI Dis...

  Key Takeaways Boycott Dates : June 24–30, 2025, organized by The People’s Union USA as part of its "Economic Blackout Tour" . Core Grievances : Targets McDonald’s for rolling back DEI initiatives, price gouging (40% avg. price hike since 2019), tax avoidance, and suppressing worker unionization . McDonald’s Defense : Claims DEI programming remains unchanged despite "language adjustments," highlights job creation and tax contributions, and dismisses boycott claims as "misleading" . Financial Context : Boycott coincides with McDonald’s worst U.S. sales slump since 2020 (3.6% Q1 drop) and a 52% operating profit margin criticized by lawmakers . Mixed Precedents : Past boycotts (e.g., Target) dented sales, while others (Amazon) showed negligible impact. Outcome hinges on sustained consumer participation . Why McDonald’s Became the Bullseye The People’s Union USA’s boycott didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader wave of consumer pushback against corp...