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Pepsi cans Ludacris after complaints from O'Reilly, public
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 8-29-02

Posted on 08/29/2002 5:28:47 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

LOS ANGELES -- Pepsi has canned Ludacris.

Pepsi-Cola of North America said Wednesday that it was was pulling its television spot featuring the Atlanta-based rapper because of consumer complaints about his sexually explicit, profanity-laden lyrics.

"We have a responsibility to listen to our consumers and customers and we've heard from a number of people that were uncomfortable with our association with this artist," the PepsiCo Inc. unit said in a statement.

"We've decided to discontinue our ad campaign with this artist and we're sorry that we've offended anyone."

"There are many different types of talented celebrities and artists, but not all of them are compatible with our brands and what consumers have come to expect from us," the statement said.

The move comes a day after Fox News' Bill O'Reilly blasted Pepsi for using Ludacris to promote its product and urged his viewers who drink Pepsi to switch to Coca-Cola.

"This guy Ludacris is harmless to mature adults, but not to impressionable children that lack parental guidance. Obviously Pepsi could not care less about those children, because they're promoting a man that espouses violence, degrading sex and substance abuse," O'Reilly said.

"I'm calling for all responsible Americans to fight back and punish Pepsi for using a man who degrades women, who encourages substance abuse, and does all the things that hurt particularly the poor in our society," he said on Tuesday night's "The O'Reilly Factor."

Ludacris was one of several entertainers, including Colombian-born singer Shakira and TV star Bernie Mac, enlisted by Pepsi this year as part of a new "multicultural" ad campaign aimed at minorities.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ludacris; oreilly; pepsi; thefactor
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alt

AP

Ludacris came under fire from Fox News' Bill O'Reilly for his profane, violent lyrics.
1 posted on 08/29/2002 5:28:47 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Good job, Bill!!!!!
2 posted on 08/29/2002 5:32:30 AM PDT by 7thson
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
i gotta 2x4 with that punk's name on it...   

but judging by that pic, somebody already whacked him at least once

3 posted on 08/29/2002 5:35:21 AM PDT by tomkat
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To: tomkat
but judging by that pic, somebody already whacked him at least once

Yep.

He fell out of the Ugly Tree and hit every branch!

4 posted on 08/29/2002 5:42:41 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
we've heard from a number of people that were uncomfortable with our association with this artist

Okay,...here's their first mistake. ...Calling this clown an "artist".

5 posted on 08/29/2002 5:45:07 AM PDT by Ranger Drew
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To: 7thson
Aaaaahhh....the sweet smell of the voice of the people! Thank you, Bill!
6 posted on 08/29/2002 5:51:23 AM PDT by smiley
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To: tomkat; Constitution Day
And taking your criticism to the personal level on appearances achieves... what?
7 posted on 08/29/2002 5:54:20 AM PDT by rdb3
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Another example where public outcry made a difference. I bet quite a few were Freepers.
8 posted on 08/29/2002 5:56:58 AM PDT by Dante3
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Pepsi cans Ludacris?

This is the worst mistake since "new coke." I mean who would want to drink Ludacris? I hope they don't bottle him too!

9 posted on 08/29/2002 6:03:08 AM PDT by RossA
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To: rdb3
Where do you see he made his statement based on his appearances? Or are you going by appearances?
10 posted on 08/29/2002 6:06:17 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: rdb3
And taking your criticism to the personal level on appearances achieves... what?

prolly not much, in the end.
just felt like offering a gratuitous slap to one of the millions of thugs
who think that all their problems can be traced to honkies like me,
and who'd likely try to slit my throat if they thought they could get away with it ...

paraphrasing the genre

11 posted on 08/29/2002 6:09:54 AM PDT by tomkat
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To: RedBloodedAmerican
From tomkat: i gotta 2x4 with that punk's name on it...

That's personal.

From Constitutin Day: Yep. He fell out of the Ugly Tree and hit every branch!

That's about appearances.

Can you not read?

Again, what did that achieve?

12 posted on 08/29/2002 6:12:19 AM PDT by rdb3
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Too Late for Pepsi.

They crossed my dividing line. I bought Pepsi up until yesterday.
13 posted on 08/29/2002 6:13:54 AM PDT by gortklattu
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To: Ranger Drew
Okay,...here's their first mistake. ...Calling this clown an "artist".

Surely his musicianship is up there with Midori, Vannesa Mae, Laura St. John. Why he is the Heifitz of crotch grabbing. Canto bella pudenda!

14 posted on 08/29/2002 6:14:32 AM PDT by Wm Bach
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
I think the problem lies more in the demographics of the people RUNNING THE COMPANY, as well as the music industry, television, and Hollyweird in general.

We're dealing with young turks on the rise here...Youthful executives who have been taught to go with focus group data over all else.

All they did was ask the opinions of a bunch of black youths & inner city white youths who want to mimic the black tastes in entertainment in order to fit in. WHAT DO KIDS THAT AGE KNOW??? Whatever it is, it isn't reflected in aptitude tests! The kids tell them "Ludacris", so Ludacris it is.

Maybe these young turks are still a little too green to warrent their stature and salaries. You'd think they would at least LISTEN TO THE ARTIST THEY'RE PICKING TO PROMOTE THEIR PRODUCT!!!

Who'll be next, Satan Hitler and the Jackboots?

15 posted on 08/29/2002 6:15:23 AM PDT by Wondervixen
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Is it just my imagination or does his name sound eerily similar to "ludicrous"? ;)

Regards, Ivan

16 posted on 08/29/2002 6:15:39 AM PDT by MadIvan
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
I believe Pepsi had previously used rappers in commercials last year or so. They had either 'Lil Kim or Foxy with some others. I can't forget it, because I thought the lines were kind of funny - she says something like "drivin through L.A., drinkin a pep-say". And Mountain Dew, a pepsi product, uses Busta Rhymes. They are all just as profane as Ludacris. Wonder why people started complaining now? I wonder if they started before O'Reilly brought it up.
17 posted on 08/29/2002 6:17:28 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: RossA
This is the worst mistake since "new coke." I mean who would want to drink Ludacris? I hope they don't bottle him too!

LOL.....I had the same impression when I first read the title; shows you how much I know about the rap industry.

Which is a good thing I guess. hehe

18 posted on 08/29/2002 6:18:19 AM PDT by FourtySeven
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Bill was absolutely correct. But I'll still drink Coke. Pepsi sucks.
19 posted on 08/29/2002 6:18:33 AM PDT by rintense
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To: rdb3
>>And taking your criticism to the personal level on appearances achieves... what?

It achieves the expression of his Constitutionally protected right to free speech and his opinion. Got any other politically correct "too much time on my hands getting worked up sticking my nose in other people's business" questions?

20 posted on 08/29/2002 6:20:16 AM PDT by Wondervixen
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