CEBU, Philippines - Pepsi is pulling an ad that has been widely criticized for appearing to trivialize protests for social justice causes.
“Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding,” the company said in a news release. “Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize.”
It said it was “removing the content and halting any further rollout.”
The ad shows Kendall Jenner, a member of the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” reality TV family, stepping away from a modeling shoot and smearing away her lipstick to join a crowd of young protesters. The protesters cheer after Jenner hands a can of Pepsi to a police officer, who takes a sip.
PepsiCo Inc. had previously said the ad would “be seen globally across TV and digital” platforms, and had stood by the ad late Tuesday. It said the spot featured “multiple lives, stories and emotional connections that show passion, joy, unbound and uninhibited moments.”
In its statement Wednesday, PepsiCo apologized to Jenner for putting her “in this position.”
Critics say the image of Jenner handing the officer a Pepsi evoked a photo of Black Lives Matter protester Ieshia Evans approaching an officer at a demonstration in Baton Rouge last year and being arrested for it.
Others pointed out that the protesters were holding signs with comically innocuous messages, such as “Join the Conversation,” as well as signs with heart and peace symbols. (AP)(FREEMAN)