Pepsi Pulls Controversial Kendall Jenner Commercial: "We Missed The Mark"

Pepsi, reeling from the backlash of it's new commercial with Kendall Jenner, has pulled the spot.

From AdWeek:

Pepsi has apologized and pulled its controversial ad featuring Kendall Jenner.

“Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding,” the brand said in a statement. “Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.”

The soda-maker released the two-and-a-half minute ad, which was created by its in-house team, Creators League Studio, on Tuesday. Backlash was swift, as many saw the ad as a way for Pepsi to co-opt the resistance movement as well as the Black Lives Matter movement.

I can't imagine what they mean by "missing the mark," unless you consider the spot featured a white, hyper-privileged young girl seeming to solve racial tensions between citizens and police officers with a can of soda...

Most only saw the short version of the spot, but here's the full 2:39 vid.

Kendall Jenner's new ad for Pepsi has fallen flat and sparked some backlash https://t.co/B5xFbEujZo pic.twitter.com/2WWsz1m42l

— CNN (@CNN) April 5, 2017

This commercial is so fucking stupid it makes you wonder if it was made by Coke to ruin Pepsi forever https://t.co/V6NVlwJYdd

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) April 5, 2017

*kendall jenner hands cop a pepsi*

cop: im not racist anymore

— BRANDON WARDELL (@BRANDONWARDELL) April 4, 2017

that pepsi ad made me want to buy a coke.

— quinta b. (@quintabrunson) April 4, 2017

The Muslim photographer is absolutely THRILLED that the cop accepted the Pepsi from Kendall Jenner. It’s a real victory for the cause. pic.twitter.com/Xd9LpBuPNs

— jimgeraghty (@jimgeraghty) April 5, 2017

That one Black Marketing intern at Pepsi coming into work this morning like... 🤷🏾‍♀️

Re: Kendall Jenner's Pepsi Ad pic.twitter.com/GAoLy4eAR2

— NUFF 💬 (@nuffsaidNY) April 5, 2017

Empire's Jussie Smollett Makes History With His New Pepsi Commercial

With the release of his new Pepsi commercial, Empire star Jussie Smollett becomes the first black openly gay man to star in a major soda campaign.

From Advocate:

In a meta twist, the filming of the commercial, which was directed by Lee Daniels, occurred as a plot point of Empire’s season 2. The song used in the ad, “Ready to Go,” was created by Smollet's character's parents, Cookie and Lucious Lyon, in the Fox show, but produced by Swizz Beatz in real life.

The commercial debuted in both worlds during Empire’s mid-season finale this week. The show will resume in March.

Smollett came out publicly on The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this year.

Big up to Pepsi for not worrying about the haters who might have an issue with this. I know I sure don't :)

News Round-Up: October 28, 2015

Baby panda kindergarten

Some news stories you may have missed:

• You know you want to see what baby panda kindergarten looks like at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. #SuperCuteness

• Outgoing Speaker of the House John Boehner and White House may have found enough common ground to pass a two year federal budget bill. See what can happen when Congress does it's job? Will wonders never cease?

• After 20 years, a man issues an apology to a gay couple he taunted in public.

• Indiana Republican Brent Randall may oppose equal protections for LGBTs, but he believes in his right to have an active profile on a gay dating website. Btw, Randall erroneously believes Indiana state law protects LGBTs - a fact Gov. Pence and all of America is well aware is untrue.

• A month ago, the anti-LGBT group One Million Moms launched a boycott against Frito Lay/Pepsico due to the company's "rainbow Doritos," which was a limited run of colorful chips with the intent to raise money against bullying. Not only did the chips sell out in 24 hours, the company's stock has gone up 10% in one month. Good job, OMM!

Pepsico stock rises 10% in the last month

Super Bowl commercial: Carol Channing for Pepsi

Pepsi tracked down Rory O' Connor, a passionate fan who went to Super Bowl IV.

Check out what happens when he experiences the halftime performance of a lifetime starring Broadway legend Carol Channing —for a second time.

Tune in to the Pepsi Super Bowl 48 Halftime Show with Bruno Mars, happening on February 2nd, 2014.