PEPSI HAS PULLED a controversial ad featuring model and reality star Kendall Jenner after a huge backlash online.
The ad features Jenner posing for a photoshoot as a protest (about what, it is unclear) passes by the building.
Inspired by a cello player in a beanie hat, she storms off set and into the streets, then calms the protest by erm, handing a police officer a soft drink.
The ad was pretty much universally criticised for being ‘tone-deaf’, and Pepsi were accused of co-opting the ‘Resistance’ to sell fizzy drinks.
Pepsi appeared to stand by the clip this morning, releasing a statement saying it reflected “different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony”.
Now, just a few hours later, they’ve changed their tune – and decided to pull the ad campaign completely.
Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. 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. We apologise for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.
Eeek. Jenner herself has yet to respond to the controversy.
