Pepsi defended its protest-themed Kendall Jenner commercial on Wednesday in response to criticism over the advert. See the statement below.
As Gossip Cop reported, Jenner’s new Pepsi commercial sparked controversy on social media when it was released on Tuesday. The ad features Jenner as a model who abandons a photoshoot to join a protest march. As she walks through the crowd, she hands a can of Pepsi to a police officer who is standing guard. “Live bolder, live louder, live for now,” reads the on-screen description, followed by an eruption of cheers from the group of protestors.
Following the online backlash, with thousands of social media users accusing both the brand and Jenner of appropriating the resistance movement for commercialized purposes, Pepsi has responded to criticism of its controversial, protest-themed advertisement. Pepsi’s statement reads, “This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey.”
Pepsi continues, adding, “The creative showcases a moment of unity, and a point where multiple storylines converge in the final advert. It depicts various groups of people embracing a spontaneous moment, and showcasing Pepsi’s brand rallying cry to ‘Live For Now,’ in an exploration of what that truly means to live life unbounded, unfiltered and uninhibited.” Jenner is yet to comment on the issue.