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.
Nothing.
I suppose that, in the end, it achieves about as much as your "Ludacris" concern for my offhand remarks.
Good day.
Maybe. hehe Of course, the jury's still out as to whether 88 REALLY is a white supremacist saying.....I honestly don't know myself. As was said on that thread, I doubt that companies are going around making white supremacist clothing for nationwide retail sale.
Then again, yesterday I would've said Pepsi surely wouldn't use a "gangsta rapper" as a spokesperson......hehe...< shrug >
Did I prevent them from using their Constitutionally mandated right to free speech?
No.
Was my question an expression of my Constitutionally mandated right to free speech?
Yes.
Apparently you don't have anything better to do with yourself since you took time out of your day to respond to me about what I asked them.
Any other questions, besides the sophomoric ones about other peoples' business (which is a lie)?
IBM has a whole series of commercials spoofing this very concept.
I don't know, but I suspect he chose the name based on the word LUDICROUS.
...Then again, maybe he meant his name to be LUDICROUS but couldn't spell it (pronunciation has nothing to do with this type of "artist").
.......But you never know; Maybe his parent(s) were just weird.
Best wishes to you,
-grump
Pepsi - cans ... I get it
Perhaps his mother just never got over "Brad" and wanted her revenge. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Really? You doubt it?
Where is your evidence to make such a claim?
Lay it out.
Best wishes,
-grump
P.S.; Taking off for a morning walk...be back in 30 or so.
You are the one who based your comments on appearances. I have seen you do that before where it involves a black person. Just going by what I have read in the past on FR. If skin color is not an issue, then why point it out? You mentioned appearances, not tomkat or I.
Oh come now, you can break out the biscuits and gravy, and Desdemona will stop by...not that the two events are related, mind you. ;)
Best Regards, Ivan
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.