‘Protests are so in right now’.
Okay… we kind of understand what the Pepsi execs were trying to achieve. Unfortunately, due to the general disbelief and vociferous outrage it’s safe to say they missed the mark on their latest offering.
The brand’s latest ad went live overnight and sees Kendall Jenner tear herself away from a photo shoot to join an unidentified political protest, along with a young Muslim photographer and a musician, with a knowing nod.
The music behind the ad is called the “Live For Now Moments Anthem” and there’s a distinctly anti-Trump vibe, but of course, we don’t quite know what people are protesting (lot’s of peace symbols).
The cherry on top of this less-than-subtle ad comes in the form of Jenner offering a Pepsi to an unamused riot policeman, who accepts it. Cue celebratory cheering.
The reaction across social media has been predominantly negative:
@KrisJenner @KendallJenner @pepsi that’s it, kendall just fixed all social injustices. bless.
— Missing Link (@MissngLnk) April 4, 2017
@KrisJenner @KendallJenner @pepsi Protests are so in right now.
— juanona ryder (@juanrod) April 4, 2017
Hell yeah I hope the militarized police force beats the shit out of me while enjoying a cool, refreshing Pepsi™ https://t.co/E7NgU9uTwS
— Dan Ozzi (@danozzi) April 4, 2017
*kendall jenner hands cop a pepsi*
cop: im not racist anymore
— BRANDON WARDELL (@BRANDONWARDELL) April 4, 2017
Training Day (2001) pic.twitter.com/TAPjvdpx53
— jeff in real life (@thecultureofme) April 4, 2017
Next time @pepsi do one where Kendall Jenner marches to Montgomery but the cops don’t bludgeon her bc she’s white & has a refreshing @pepsi
— Jia Tolentino (@jiatolentino) April 4, 2017
The Pepsi president of marketing in tomorrow morning’s meeting: pic.twitter.com/ULhHiVuO9n
— Brett Kreis (@IdealGasLaw) April 5, 2017
been getting followed by police for 20 minutes now. it’s all good i got a pepsi on me
— zach (@3xans) April 5, 2017
The commercial has been labelled ‘insensitive’ and ‘tone deaf’.
