Mattress company sparks outrage with heartless advert showing ‘Twin Towers’ falling to promote 9/11 anniversary sale
Miracle Mattress in San Antonio, Texas, slammed after trying to use memory of horrific terror attack to flog beds in 'disgusting' video
A SHAMELESS company has been slammed after using the memory of the 9/11 terror attacks to flog mattresses.
Miracle Mattress in San Antonio, Texas, posted a video online on Wednesday advertising their “9/11 Twin Towers Sale”.
The tasteless clip shows two employees knocking over two stacks of mattresses resembling the World Trade Centre towers in which 2,606 people lost their lives on 11 September 2001.
The 15-year anniversary of the terror atrocity is coming up this weekend, prompting people across the world to reflect on the horrific incident.
But the shameless bedding firm tried to turn the catastrophe into a sales opportunity, with the video asking: “What better way to remember 9/11 than with a Twin Tower sale?”
The woman in the advert tells viewers: “Right now you can get any size mattress for a twin price.”
After going through a series of product sizes available in the deal, two men either side of her fall backwards and knock over the towers of mattresses.
The woman then screams before looking to the camera and saying insincerely: “We’ll never forget.”
The advert was quickly removed from the company’s official social media pages after a massive backlash from disgusted viewers.
April Keeton posted: “You need to close your doors and leave this country. This is one of the most disrespectful videos I've ever watched.”
Emily L. Greene wrote on the company’s Facebook page: “You are a truly disgusting company. Your lack of integrity, honor, respect, and brain cells for that matter is astounding!”
And Deborah May said: “How dare you. Who the F raised you? Because they truly failed as parents of you're all the end result.”
The company has since apologised, using Facebook to say: “To all of those who have seen our 9/11 sale. We are very sorry we have offended you.
“Our intentions were not to hurt anyone at all. Our staff is full of military and some relatives have passed away due to 9/11.”
But even the apology did little to calm people’s anger, with many criticising the statement’s wording.
In a comment echoed across the firm’s social media pages, Facebook user Donna S wrote: “When you say you are sorry that we offended you... You aren't actually apologizing for the act. You're apologizing because we somehow took it the wrong way.”
Store owner Mike Bonnano later issued a full apology for the incident in more straightforward language.
He wrote: “I say this unequivocally, with sincere regret: the video is tasteless and an affront to the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11.
“Furthermore, it disrespects the families who lost their loved ones and continue to struggle with the pain of this tragedy every day of their lives.
“All I can say is I am deeply sorry and on behalf of the entire Miracle Mattress family.
“I accept responsibility for this thoughtless and crude advertisement and will hold my employees accountable for this serious lapse of decency.”
Miracle Mattress isn't the first example of a company trying to use the 9/11 attacks as a marketing gimmick.
US supermarket giant Walmart, which owns Asda, tried to twist the memory of the tragedy to sell soft drinks.
A picture apparently taken in a Florida store showing crates of Coca Cola stacked to form a pair of towers in front of an American flag quickly went viral this week.
The image also sparked outrage and forced the store to take down the display.
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