The latest advertisement for Pepsi has attracted a lot of attention, and not the fun kind. The recent Pepsi ad featuring famous American model Kendall Jenner has been accused of being tone-deaf to the sentiments of minorities. Basically, Pepsi is being blasted for making ads the way they always do. With a lot of noise, but not much sense.
Amid backlash, the beverage brand announced that it will be pulling the controversial advertisement apologising for hurting sentiments and “for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.” In a statement on Wednesday, the company stated, “Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding.” They added, “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.”
— Pepsi™ (@pepsi) April 5, 2017
In the advertisement, Jenner can be seen as a model in a photoshoot while a band of protesters pass by. Distracted by their rallying, Jenner dramatically removes her wig, smudges off her lipstick and walks into the crowd.
To the tune of Skip Marley’s Lions, she catwalks towards an expressionless policeman standing guard and offers him a can of Pepsi. The echoing crack and fizz follows an energetic cheer from the crowd. The policeman smiles and magically, everyone forgets the purpose of the protest and ’cause you gotta “live for now moments.” Here’s the advertisement in case you haven’t already seen it:
Both Pepsi and Kendall Jenner are getting brutally bashed for this advertisement with people pointing out the insensitive nature of Pepsi ads and the naivete of 21-year-old Jenner, who apparently struggles to grasp the concept of compassion. As expected, Twitter was hilariously savage. Here are some of the reactions that were posted by angered viewers on Twitter:
If I had carried Pepsi I guess I never would’ve gotten arrested. Who knew?
— deray mckesson (@deray) April 5, 2017
can you believe kendall jenner solved all the black lives matter issues by giving a pepsi to a cop? inspiring.
— Danii G (@gerbatron) April 4, 2017
I can’t believe Kendall Jenner just ended police brutality. Now thats the taste of the new generation https://t.co/VgliNz7TqO
— christopher (@crisbar__) April 4, 2017
Lmao Pepsi’s new ad Kendall Jenner ‘ends racism’ by handing police men a Pepsi – way to degrade 50 yrs of black/minority struggle
— Hanorah (@HanorahHardy) April 4, 2017
Kendall Jenner: Can I copy off of you?
Iesha Evans: No.
Kendall:* Looks over shoulder anyway*
Damn that. I’m getting this Pepsi money. pic.twitter.com/NUXwCZnM7p— C I L L My Landlord (@GuruBluXVIII) April 4, 2017
wow all it took to end oppression was woke kendall jenner handing a policeman a can of pepsi https://t.co/2nM1LsMUkS
— Emily Hier (@emilyhier) April 4, 2017
Dear @pepsi, so you’re telling me if there was a protest and I was in there and offered a pepsi to an officer, I wouldn’t get arrested?
— A. Swope † (@LoveSwope) April 4, 2017
@QuinchoOsito Yeppp. Wow I can’t believe Kendall Jenner solved all of society’s complex and persistent issues with a can of Pepsi…
— Bella (@BELLAsayswhat_) April 4, 2017
Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Kendall Jenner, John Lewis, Ella Baker
— Zito (@_Zeets) April 4, 2017
Actually @pepsi appropriates resistance to state violence using @KendallJenner to sell its ! https://t.co/jLaWzGwSz8
— Celle qui a dit non (@biscouti) April 4, 2017
I can’t believe it’s only been 150 years since Kendall Jenner marched to Gettysburg and gave Ulysses S. Grant a @pepsi to end the Civil War
— Jason Lipshutz (@jasonlipshutz) April 4, 2017
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