It's a sad affair when a funny commercial with a gay undertone causes a big brand like Heinz to pull the ad. Why the UK Heinz TV spot? Because a few conservatives made some noise about two men kissing in the commercial.
Whatever 'cool' points Heinz might have earned for being open-minded to create such a commercial has been lost and the company is facing big lashings from all sides.
The UK gay rights group Stonewall has launched a boycott of Heinz products for bowing down to 'homophobic individuals'. In pulling the ad, Heinz sends a message to teenagers and kids that having gay parents or showing two men kissing is wrong.
A petition has been created asking Heinz to reinstate the ad. As of the time of writing this trend, 7,357 people had signed the petition to reinstate the Heinz Deli Mayo ad.
Watch the video above for a CNN's Headline News segment featuring the commercial and a debate between Truth Wins Out's Wayne Besen, Dan Hill, a business marketing analyst and the American Family Association's Randy Sharp.
See a recent Trend Hunter super gallery celebrating gay marriage.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- LGBTQ+ Representation in Advertising
- Opportunity for brands to create inclusive and diverse commercials that resonate with the LGBTQ+ community.
- Social Media Activism
- Rise of online petitions and boycotts as a means for consumers to voice their concerns and hold companies accountable.
- Controversy Over Marketing Messages
- Brands facing backlash and potential boycotts due to controversial or offensive content in their advertisements.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Advertising
- Opportunity for advertising agencies to develop campaigns that promote diversity and inclusion while avoiding potential controversies.
- Social Media
- Online platforms can provide a space for activists, consumers, and brands to engage in discussions about social issues and drive change.
- Consumer Goods
- Companies in the consumer goods industry need to carefully consider the messages in their advertisements to avoid alienating or offending their target audience.
