04
Dec
Is Pepsi Advocating Suicide?
Author: DavidJones // Category: Ethics, Food, Pop Culture, Youth CultureThe picture below is part of a new marketing campaign for PepsiMax, a highly caffeinated soda that only has 1 calorie.
As you can see in the picture, the lone calorie is looking for ways to kill himself because he is the only calorie left. If you look closely, you can see a bullet has gone through his head, his arm is bandaged from apparently trying to cut himself, there is a noose around his neck, and he is holding a bottle of poison in his hand.
Has Pepsi gone over the line with this ad, or is this just all in fun?
What kind of message is this sending to youth?
I want to hear your thoughts and opinions about this.
Tags: One Calorie, Pepsi, PepsiMax, Suicide
December 4th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
That is definitely over the top. It’s not funny at all. I would think that anyone who has had someone close to them commit suicide (and that includes me) would be offended by this.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I think it’s tacky and uncalled for. Just over the top if you ask me. I can think of many more creative ways to advertise.
December 4th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Ugh. It kinda creeps me out. Really over the top and not funny. Where do they SHOW this add?
December 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I think they definitely overdid it with this one. As a teenager I really don’t see the point except to show that suicide is a joke, which shouldn’t be implied by a national corp.
December 4th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
See also: http://www.adrants.com/images/calorie-wrist-slash.jpg
Yeah, this is ridiculous.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Would this ad make anyone think twice about buying Pepsi products?
December 5th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Maybe. I’m not big on boycotts, though.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:17 am
This ad is ridicules uncalled for. YES! Pepsi should be boycotted as well they should take down this ad and donate revenue to a suicide prevention program. As consumers we need to keep companies accountable for what they are advertising
December 5th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I think the ad is over the top and ridiculous however I do not feel they should have to pull it. They have the right to publish this ad just like you have the right to voice your opinion against it. If you don’t like it or are offended by it, then don’t buy the product. That will make the biggest statement in the long run
December 5th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Very interesting point. Companies do have a lot of legal freedom in their marketing, even if we consider it to be in poor taste.
Should they have to pull it? From a legal standpoint, probably not.
Should they pull it? That’s an entirely different question. People who have been affected by suicide will surely have a strong opinion that it should. Others will see it as nonsense and think people shouldn’t take things so seriously.
Either way, I can guarantee Pepsi has accomplished one of the main goals with the ad–They’re generating publicity!
December 9th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I agree, Pepsi has the right to promote this add. However, it is in poor taste, I believe it is sending a message to young people with eating disorders as well. Legally they do not have to pull it, morally they really should.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I think the add/picture is stupid. How’s that for a grown-up word? I would like to meet Mr. Twisted who developed the thing.
POOR TASTE PEPSI! Unfortunately no one will really care and you’ll make your millions as you always do!
April 30th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
as i can see no one likes the ad but then if thats the case then simply dont look at it, most of you are over reacting. i dont think any “teenager” would dumb enough to try and commit suicide because some ad said its a joke. i hate when people over react to something that has a very basic solution, and most of the time are only saying it because everyone is “agreeing”
if you honestly dont like it and dont care for it, then why are you complaining, leave and thats it. forget it and move on with life