Ad-server firm removes Ed Whitlock image hawking supplements

Ed Whitlock was shown in an ad for Athletic Greens on the Taboola network.

Last November, I wrote about a shady outfit promoting Athletic Greens, a dietary supplement. Peter Taylor commented on my post, noting that he’d seen Ed Whitlock’s image connected to the supplement-pusher. I didn’t see the photo until a couple days ago. But I was curious whether Ed, our M80 distance friend, had given anyone permission to use his face in an ad served up by Taboola. Of course he hadn’t. He wrote me: “I am not happy about its use to promote supplements of any sort. … I am just hoping the ad disappears.” Wish granted, Ed. I wrote Taboola on Sunday, and today I got a note from Tammy Blythe Goodman, Taboola’s marketing communications manager in New York. Tammy wrote: “Advertisers on Taboola are responsible for the ownership of all images. We were not aware that Athletic Greens did not have the rights to this image, and we have removed this image from our network.” I’m still waiting to hear from Athletic Greens. The shot was taken at a Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and those folks are looking into unauthorized use as well.