Hallmark Channel pulled a Zola commercial showing two brides kissing, then reversed itself again and decided not to stop airing the ad.
Then the hashtag #AdsThatShouldBePulled trended on Twitter this week, and that got us thinking: Unlike the Zola spot, which ads should actually be shelved?
More than a few tone-deaf campaigns have felt the wrath of critics.
Let’s start with Peloton’s A Gift Like No Other ad, which some thought was sexist. Last month’s advertising outrage was South Dakota’s meth-prevention campaign, Meth. We’re on It, which left Breaking Bad fans across the country scratching their heads.
A spot that went down in history, in a bad way, was Pepsi’s commercial from 2017 starring Kendall Jenner making peace at a protest of police brutality.
And some people just want an ad pulled because they can’t stand a spokesperson or mascot.
Take our poll or tweet at @PRWeekUS to let us know what ads should be immediately canceled.
As #AdsThatShouldBePulled trends on Twitter, any in particular really get under your skin?
— PRWeek US (@PRWeekUS) December 16, 2019