ZEENAT MOORAD: Pepsi loses perspective
The gaffe in its latest ad shows how the client/agency relationship is being altered — with a little less collaboration and a little more tunnel vision, writes Zeenat Moorad
Kendall Jenner, reportedly traumatised by the backlash over the Pepsi ad debacle, is laying low. Hard (I would imagine) for Kardashian spawn, harder still because landing a Pepsi commercial has historically been the celebrity endorsement to end all endorsements. You’re officially a “somebody” if you get the gig. Beckham had a Pepsi commercial, as did Beyoncé and Ronaldo — note how they are all referred to in mononymous person. Pepsi, of course, pulled the reality-star-slash-Victoria’s Secret model’s tone-deaf ad a day after it was broadcast following a widespread outcry that it appropriated imagery from the Black Lives Matter movement and trivialised civil rights. You’re likely to have seen the ad already and been (choose one, or all) outraged/offended/frothing at the mouth over it. If you haven’t seen it, it went something like this: a bunch of activists pass by with signs. Jenner, who is modelling, pulls off her blonde wig, wipes off her lipstick and ditches her glam photoshoot to...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.