Is there such a thing as “bad publicity”? Asked differently, doesn’t a brand generate heaps of (free) publicity when media reports declare that advertisement has been “pulled” for being too racy?

Take American Apparel, which the Daily Mail describes as having build up a reputation as a “hyper-sexualized brand”.

The paper reminds that AA has had several of its ads banned in Britain for “gratuitous nudity”.

Enter newly-appointed CEO Paula Schneider, who says the company “now plans to ‘enlighten’ people without scandalous distractions.”

Time will tell.