Obama's image used in an ad creates stir

Washington, Jan 7: After the recent controversy over the unauthorised use of US first lady Michelle Obama's image in a PETA ad, a Times Square billboard featuring an ad with the image of US Barack Obama has created a stir.

The White House isn't happy with the move, saying the president's image is not supposed to be used for commercial purposes, reports Fox News.

President Obama became an unwitting billboard model Wednesday, Jan 6 when a clothing company posted a massive ad showing him wearing one of their jackets during a recent diplomatic tour.

Obama is seen standing before the Great Wall of China with his hands dug into both pockets of his Weatherproof Ultra-Tech jacket, above the caption, 'A Leader in Style'.

The picture was snapped during Obama's trip through China in Nov 2009, the ad explains.

"The White House has a longstanding policy disapproving of the use of the president's name and likeness for commercial purposes," White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said in a written statement.

Earlier animal rights organisation PETA landed in a soup over the ad, which features 45-year-old fashion icon Michelle alongside the images of Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Underwood, and Tyra Banks, with the tag line 'FUR-Free and Fabulous'.

ANI