While in college (commercial art/ photography) we read a book about subliminal advertizing and image manipulation... hidden images in ice cubes being one example.
I can only imagine how much more emphasis is put on considering the consequences in today's marketing outfits. There is <span style="font-style: italic">always</span> an "art director" involved (mostly a position created to allow a less talented individual to mark their territory, IMO), in this instance the individual was either totally inept, proving my opinion, or they had some bone to pick. My 2p.
We keep an original poster of "The Little Mermaid" around here just to remind us there are many things to consider when creating an image for marketing <span style="font-style: italic">anything</span>.