MMC News: MMC Issues Statement in Response to New York Post Story

NEW YORK June 11, 2007 — Marsh & McLennan Companies issued the following statement in response to a story appearing in today's New York Post:

The New York Post today ran an article that raises questions about the portrait photography used in a new advertising campaign by Marsh Inc., MMC's risk and insurance specialist. Specifically, the article speculates that the ads contain images of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in the eyes of the people photographed.

As a company that lost 355 colleagues in the 9/11 terror attacks, MMC is outraged that the New York Post would run a story designed to resurrect the pain and anguish experienced by MMC colleagues and, in particular, the families of those colleagues who perished on September 11, 2001.

As was relayed to the Post last week, the photos used in the campaign were taken by world-renowned portrait photographer Martin Schoeller, whose work is characterized by a lighting technique in which he reflects light from two five-foot high light stanchions into the subject's eyes. He has used the technique for more than a decade and has photographed hundreds of people using it, including President Bill Clinton and numerous celebrities.

The mere suggestion that MMC would include, suggest or disregard 9/11 imagery in its ad campaign is not only wildly wrong, but cruel and despicable. Indeed, it is the Post's own bizarre theory that the photographs are in some way connected to the tragedy of 9/11.

It is unfortunate that the Post chose to publish this story with so little regard for the emotional toll it might take on the 9/11 families and survivors. The decision to do so in the face of all evidence to the contrary is highly irresponsible and a regrettable example of tabloid journalism that puts sensationalism ahead of the truth. The firm will explore all possible remedies against the newspaper in connection with this matter.

Please click below for additional perspective:

A reflection of the photographer
(Martin Schoeller, standing between two light fixtures), seen in the pupils of a portrait subject;
Similar photos Mr. Schoeller has taken
of political figures and celebrities, showing the exact same type of light reflections; and
A letter from Mr. Schoeller's agency
addressing this matter.