A recent Calvin Klein advertising campaign was pulled by the company after a public outcry claiming the ads were child pornography.

On Feb. 17, Calvin Klein ran full-page ads showing two young boys in their underwear in several newspapers, including The New York Times.

Since then, several media ethics groups, family rights advocates and even talk show host Rosie O’Donnell have spoken out against the ads.

On Feb. 18, Calvin Klein announced the entire campaign would be pulled, including a large billboard that would have been unveiled in Times Square.

In light of Calvin Klein’s history of provocative ads, some people have suggested the company planned the whole campaign as an advertising gimmick.

Osei Appiah, assistant professor of advertising, said this is not the first time Calvin Klein has had to pull an ad campaign amidst controversy.

“I believe he intentionally puts out controversial ads to get free exposure and free publicity,” Appiah said. “It always seems to be in line with the introduction of a new cologne, new jeans, whatever. He’s an expert in marketing.”

Joel Geske, associate professor of advertising, also said he believes Calvin Klein intended for the ads to be pulled. He said Calvin Klein produces ads with the intent to offend certain groups because the company’s avant-garde image is reaffirmed.

“[Calvin Klein] has a history of running something controversial and then pulling it,” Geske said. “Then people want to see it — now people seek it out to see what’s so controversial.”

Appiah said Klein has every intention of creating curiosity through controversy.

“It piques my curiosity,” he said. “[If] I didn’t see the ads, it makes me wonder what method can I use to find these ads, to see them.”

Appiah said even if there was nothing illegal about the ads, he felt they may have come too close to child pornography.

“If you sat there and covered up the Calvin Klein logo, would you wonder if it’s child pornography? If so, then it’s gone too far,” he said.

Jehan Faisal, program coordinator for the YWCA, recently organized a series of discussions on pornography. She said putting children in sexual situations for advertising can be dangerous.

“Children are used frequently in advertising, and sexuality is a part of almost any ad you see,” Faisal said.

“They’re saying it’s OK to sexualize children,” she said. “It hurts not only the children being viewed but also other children.”

Faisal said the biggest difference between child and adult pornography is the issue of consent.

“When talking about consenting adults, [the ads] might be within boundaries,” she said. “When talking about kids, it’s a lot different. How can a 5-year-old give consent to be in something like that?”