BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) -- The family of murdered New Hampshire journalist had no idea their son's image was being used for a Washington, D.C. burger chain's ad campaign
James Foley was a journalist that was murdered by ISIS in Syria in 2014 and a social media company hired by Z-Burger chain used Foley's image, held captive by ISIS, to sell burgers, saying: 'this is what happens when you chose McDonald's over z-burger. Z Burger said they had idea this was being done. And Michael Valor the 23-year-old CEO of valor media apologized in a series of unscripted tweet saying, said 'news gets distorted,' and apologized.
He didn't know the ad would be offensive, saying a new hire is to blame, and also saying he's very young. He apologized to the public, to Z-Burger, and the Foley Family. He also forgave anyone who's still angry.
The owner of Z-Burger tells WUSA-TV in Washington that he plans to reach out and donate to the James Foley Foundation.
James Foley’s mother, tells WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Karyn Regal that that she had no idea this happened
“I am very saddened that Z-Burger would be so insensitive and ignorant of others’ pain, while marketing their hamburger! I look forward to hearing an apology from Peter Tabibian and Michael Valor and their promised donation to the James w. Foley legacy foundation [for] inspiring moral courage,” she said in a statement.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Karyn Regal reports.