Pepsi Pulls Controversial Kendall Jenner After Social Media Backlash

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Times

PepsiCo pulled a controversial commercial featuring model Kendall Jenner on Wednesday after the ad prompted outrage over its trivialisation of protests and unrest in the United States.

The ad, released late on Tuesday shows Jenner, a fashion celebrity and reality TV star, in a photo shoot, when she sees nearby protest march. Removing her wig and makeup, she joins the crowd, and hands a baseball cap-wearing police officer a can of Pepsi, prompting him to smile while marchers cheer and hug.

"Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding, the company said in a statement. "Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologise. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout."

A representative for Jenner did not return a call for comment.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/04/05/us/05reuters-pepsico-ad.html

[Augiedog]

1. That is/was one of the stupidest ads I've ever seen. What planet do these people live on?

[hatrack]

2. They inhabit Postmodern Planet, where nothing has meaning except money . .

And where nothing - and I do mean "nothing" - cannot be used to sell product, pimp concepts or "influence early adopters".

A digital Nelson Mandela urges you to enjoy the "freedom" of a Capital One card? Just give it time.

[MosheFeingold]

7. I think it's secretly an add for Coke. n/t

[milestogo]

3. A family of media whores...

so quintessentially American.

[Demit]

4. They apologized to JENNER? Whatever for?

I did enjoy the dig Pepsi's ad agency got in on Pepsi's in-house group. Assholes.

[judesedit]

5. Grow some balls people. I liked it and will buy more Pepsi now

Why fold at the least little bit of criticism. You made a commercial for goodness sakes and it had a good message. Your ctitics are being ridiculous. Coke is probably at the bottom of this bs. Pepsi's way better anyway. I will get some at the store today.

[7962]

8. IKR? Ridiculous cave in over made up controversy.

But your comment will likely be blocked because you said "balls" and thats just so far over some line you know....

I imagine every ad pisses somebody off.

[DinahMoeHum]

9. Martin Luther King's daughter begs to differ. . .

. . .considering this ad first aired on April 4, the anniversary of her father's murder in 1968.

Link to tweet

[7962]

10. And tens of thousands of protests since that year. Meaningless comparison.

Pepsi has always done the same as Coke; tired to show people coming together because of their product. This ad has some generic march going on; no reference to any particular one. But people will always attach the worst meaning to everything these days.

[Skittles]

11. male body parts are not required for courage

[Mosby]

6. This isn't the first time they have been "tone deaf" (racist)

[BumRushDaShow]

12. I just watched the "full" version of the ad

and it's an all-millennial generation thing. The "protest" was missing other age groups. And it was more a "love / peace march" vs a "protest".

I think it was all directed to that generation which is why some others (us baby boomers) might have balked.