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Bad Marketing 101: Using battered women, police and blacks in police lineups to sell soda (or anything really) is sure to get the offensive content police called in

5/5/2013

 
Picture
Picture a badly battered woman on crutches who is being pressed by a cop to pick a suspect out of a police lineup of five African-American males and a goat named Felicia.   The goat Felicia—in a male voice—taunts the battered woman with phrases like "snitches get stitches, fool," "keep your mouth shut" and "I'm going to get out of here and do you up."

I wonder if any of the "smartest guys in the room" signing off on this actually thought this one through.  But I guess we already know the answer - which is obvious to pretty much everyone except these people.

PepsiCo says it's pulling this Mountain Dew commercial which offended online viewers due to sensitivities towards racism and violence toward women. Duh!

The actors are members of the music group Odd Future whose alternative hip-hop ensemble's co-founder, Tyler, The Creator, developed the ad.  The only redeeming factor in this sordid episode is the ad was created by a black man.  Double standard? 

PepsiCo stated, "We understand how this video could be perceived by some as offensive, and we apologize to those who were offended."  Only "some" might perceive this as offensive?  Seems drinking Pepsi and Mountain Dew is not only bad for your health, but also your brain.

Source:
"Mountain Dew Pulls 'Most Racist Commercial in History", AdWeek, May 1, 2013
http://www.adweek.com/news/television/mountain-dew-pulls-most-racist-commercial-history-149061

CKB Solutions is all about real solutions for the real world.  To learn how we can help your business, contact Greg Kovacic in Hong Kong.



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    Author

    Greg Kovacic is a Director with CKB Solutions in Hong Kong. He advises senior executives and entrepreneurs on strategy, corporate finance, operations and marketing with a focus on crafting real solutions for the real world.  
    You can contact Greg at: greg@ckbsolutions.com

    View my profile on LinkedIn

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