Cetaphil Accused of Copying TikTok Videos in Taylor Swift-Themed Super Bowl Ad

Accusations of Plagiarism

Cetaphil, a skincare brand, has found itself in hot water after a TikTok creator and her stepfather accused the company of copying their videos for a Taylor Swift-inspired Super Bowl commercial. The controversy emerged when Cetaphil released its Super Bowl LVIII ad, titled "A New Sports Tradition for Dads & Daughters." The ad depicts a father trying to engage with his daughter about a sports game while she remains disinterested. However, things take a turn when the daughter, using Cetaphil products, hears a sports announcer mention Taylor Swift, resulting in a heartwarming bonding moment between the father and daughter. While the ad received praise from Swift fans, a TikTok user named Sharon Mbabazi and her stepfather claim that Cetaphil stole their concept.

The TikTok Videos

In September 2023, Mbabazi posted three TikTok videos featuring her stepfather discussing football and Taylor Swift while she carried out her skincare routine at a vanity. These videos garnered a combined total of 4.1 million views. Mbabazi noticed striking similarities between Cetaphil's commercial and her TikTok content. Not only did both feature the main characters bonding over football and Swift while doing a skincare routine, but Mbabazi also claimed that Cetaphil copied her and her stepfather's appearance.

An Accusation of Theft

Mbabazi and her stepfather addressed Cetaphil directly in a video, asserting that the company had stolen their concept "bar-for-bar." The stepfather voiced his disappointment, stating, "That is a beautiful story that you have in your commercial that's going to be on the Super Bowl, but it's our story." He emphasized that his daughter created the content that Cetaphil allegedly took without giving proper credit. TikTok users rallied behind Mbabazi and her stepfather, expressing support and suggesting that Cetaphil should have collaborated with them to make the ad even more authentic.

A Potential Resolution

Despite the allegations, Cetaphil's ad agency, Prompt, indicated that Mbabazi and her stepfather would appear in a follow-up commercial for the brand. The Chief Creative Officer of Prompt, Craig Elimeliah, denied copying the family's TikTok videos and claimed that they had never seen the footage. However, representatives from Galderma, Cetaphil's parent company, and Mbabazi have yet to respond to requests for comment.

The Super Bowl LVIII will take place on Sunday, featuring a showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Click here to learn how to watch Super Bowl LVIII in the United States or abroad.

Read the original article on Business Insider.

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By: ledmonds@businessinsider.com (Lauren Edmonds)
Title: Cetaphil Accused of Copying TikTok Videos in Taylor Swift-Themed Super Bowl Ad
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/cetaphil-super-bowl-ad-taylor-swift-tiktok-ripoff-2024-2
Published Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2024 18:16:06 +0000