BUSINESS

YouTube displays P&G ads on ISIS videos

Alexander Coolidge
acoolidge@enquirer.com
Procter & Gamble

But first an important message from our alleged sponsor.

Procter & Gamble, Anheuser-Busch and Johnson & Johnson are fuming at YouTube after ads for their products were linked to propaganda videos uploaded by ISIS and jihadi groups, according to CNN.

The big advertisers bought ad spots for Secret deodorant, Bud Light beer and Aveeno skin care, only to have them precede extremist clips on the video sharing site. Advertisers buy ad space on all types of media platforms usually some general restrictions over types of content the spots can be paired. Still, advertisers don't control exactly where their ads are placed.

"Our ads should not have appeared and we're working with YouTube to understand how it happened and to avoid it happening again," said P&G spokesman Paul Fox.

Terrorism analyst Mubin Shaikh told CNN one video is part of an ongoing propaganda series that ISIS produces and another is a jihadi-themed video.

"From a contract perspective, these corporations that are paying lots of money to get YouTube clicks may not be that pleased when they find out that their video is placed right before an ISIS recruitment video," legal analyst Danny Cevallos told CNN.