A man has gone viral on TikTok after spotting a photo of himself from 2021 being used as part of an advertisement for Sketchers that he never signed up to do.
Getting a spot on an ad campaign can be pretty big for actors and models, but there have also been plenty of ads that have just used shots of everyday people reacting to something naturally.
However, in the case of artist Justin Starling, he was shocked to find himself being used in an advert for Sketchers. “I had somebody DM me talking about they saw me in a Sketchers ad,” he said, before showing off the poster in question.
“Bro, wait until I show you the original picture. I didn’t authorize this. This original photo is from 2021 and they photoshopped the (Nike Air) Forces out and put some Sketchers on. Like, how am I gonna walk past this? They didn’t cut the cheque, they didn’t even hit me up for the official ad.”
TikToker finds himself in Sketchers ad he never signed up for
A number of viewers questioned Starling as to whether or not he’d signed over the rights to the photo at some point. That appears to be the case.
“They told me that image came from a royalty-free website and that surprised me because at the time, when I saw the poster, I had no idea that photo was even on a website like that,” he said in his update video.
“I’m not here to drag Sketchers or anyone involved; it seems like it may have just been a misunderstanding. I just think it’s wild how easily somebody’s photo can end up online and altered in a major brand’s campaign without that person ever knowing.”
Some viewers claimed that it was “insane” to use a photo from a royalty-free website, and suggested that the TikToker doesn’t “let it go.”
“Naw bro, get your money. They have to pay to use your image,” one said. “Nah they altered that on purpose that’s crazy,” another said.
