J.C. Penney Co. is blaming Saatchi & Saatchi for a YouTube ad that appears to put the retailer in the position of endorsing teen sex.

The ad first appeared on YouTube after winning an international advertising award at Cannes, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The ad depicts two teenagers stripping down to their underwear and then racing to see who can put their clothes on first. At the end of the ad, the tagline: "Today's the day to get away with it" flashes on the screen followed by the Penny's logo and the brand's "Every Day Matters" slogan.

Mike Boylson, CMO for Penny's, said he was "terribly disappointed" by the ad. He said he is questioning Saatchi & Saatchi to determine how the spot ended up on YouTube.

Ads on YouTube, particularly the user-generated variety, can be risky endeavors for brands accustomed to having full control. But at first blush, this ad appears to be separate from the brand's digital strategy.