Skip to main content

Pepsi Pulls Kendall Ad

UPDATE 4/5/17 3:30pm:  Pepsi has pulled their recently released controversial ad starring Kendall Jenner.

"Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding," the beverage maker's statement read. "Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position."

Earlier Posting...

A new Pepsi ad — which features Kendall Jenner using a can of soda to end a stand-off between cops and a group of young, multi-racial “protesters” — is being universally blasted online.

According to The NY Post, social media users believe the commercial is clearly a play on the Black Lives Matter movement and other passionate, real-life demonstrations that have been taking place in recent years as a form of political resistance.

“So all us dark people have to do is convince a cop that the Pepsi we’re holding isn’t a gun,” tweeted “Daily Show” writer Kashana Cauley.

“That Pepsi ad is really dystopian,” another user added. “Disney-fies resistance. whitewashes and commodifies protest. wow there’s a lot to unpack there.”

Pepsi unveiled the controversial “Live For Now Moments Anthem” ad on Tuesday morning — leaving countless people with a bad taste in their mouths throughout the day.


In it, Jenner can be seen posing for a photo shoot before eventually ditching the gig to join up with the pretend protesters, many of whom are carrying signs and throwing up fists.

The commercial concludes with the 21-year-old handing a Pepsi can over to a police officer — causing him to pop the top, take a swig and smile in relief. The marchers then promptly cheer in approval before the words “live bolder, live louder, live for now” flash across the screen.

“So we should just give Putin & Assad & Trump a can of Pepsi & everything will be fine?” actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani joked on Twitter.

While many called out the soda company for simply being unoriginal, most ridiculed them for appropriating imagery from prominent movements.

“Who else is reminded of Dr Martin Luther King’s famously resonant ‘I have a Pepsi’ speech,” tweeted Australian senator Scott Ludlam.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fresno Radio: KBOS Adds Monisha Mann For Evenings

Monisha Mann iHeartMedia Fresno announced today that Monisha Mann has been named nighttime host for KBOS 95.5 FM B95, Fresno’s Hip Hop and Hits, effective immediately. Mann will broadcast weeknights 7 p.m. – midnight. Mann will build on B95 night show’s rich legacy of bringing the latest in new and upcoming music to the Central California listeners. “I am beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to do nights in my hometown at B95,” said Mann. “I look forward to bringing new music to our listeners and I thank the team here in Fresno for believing in me to uphold the standards and ratings of this heritage station.” Mann, a Central California native, is a 15-year radio veteran who began her career as an intern at B95. She returned to the station from holding similar on-air positions in Bakersfield, CA. KBOS 95.5 FM (16.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area “Mo is an engaging talent, a social media warrior, and a fierce competitor,” said Steve Weed, Senior Vice President of Programming for...
Post a Comment
Read more

Twitter Creates 'Lite' Version

By David Ingram | SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -- Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) is launching a faster version of its mobile service on Wednesday aimed at people with sporadic connections or little data on their smartphone plans, hoping to pick up users in harder-to-reach emerging markets. The company calls the version Twitter Lite and it will be aimed largely at users outside the United States. Twitter Lite works through a web browser, not a stand-alone phone application, but its appearance and functionality are nearly identical to what app users experience, according to a preview shown to Reuters. The launch comes on the heels of similar products from other U.S. tech firms. Facebook Inc (FB.O) released Facebook Lite in 2015 and on Tuesday, Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) YouTube unveiled a low-data mobile app designed for India. San Francisco-based Twitter lags behind those companies in building a user base. It had 319 million average monthly active users at the end of last year, up 4 percent year-ove...
Post a Comment
Read more

ESPN's Skipper Backs Sage Steele

Sage Steele In the two days since ESPN announced Sage Steele would be supplanted as host of NBA Countdown by Michelle Beadle, Steele has been subjected to a fair amount of ridicule on social media. Apparently, ESPN President John Skipper had seen enough and defended Steele in a statement to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. "Sage has done a wonderful job for us in a number of important roles," Skipper said. “As previously announced, her SportsCenter presence has grown and this week alone she has led our coverage from the men’s Final Four and the Masters. Sage definitively has a bright and long-term future at ESPN and my complete support." Skipper and others at ESPN appear to be particularly irked by the fact that many  celebrated the move as a firing. While nobody at ESPN has publicly stated why the network made the decision so late in the NBA season to change hosts of NBA Countdown, Steele has appeared prominently on the network’s Masters coverage this week and also as the...
Post a Comment
Read more