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.
Sorry, but the modern executives really couldn't care less. They have adopted the Three Holy Corporate Commandments:
1. Money is God.
2. Image is Everything.
3. If anything bad happens, it's always the parent's fault.
Oh, God, not Britney-on-black-velvet portraits being sold at roadside flea markets...
LOL! Your characterization will go down in history alongside 'Cactus' John Nance Garner's remark that something or other wasn't worth "warm spit".
How about Britney lying on black velvet sheets?
That's part of it. I've got 20 bucks that says Pepsi hired a minority executive to "reach out" to this market, and this was his/her idea. I don't see how how else this idea could have gotten this far before pulling it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.