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"Heinz pulls mayonnaise ad over gay kiss furore
Jenny Booth
A mayonnaise ad that shows two men kissing has been withdrawn from television after 200 viewers complained that it was offensive.
Heinz, which makes the New York Deli Mayo featured in the commercial, pulled the advertisement less than a week into its expected five week run, in response to the criticism.
Viewers told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the ad was inappropriate and unsuitable for children to see. The ASA has not yet decided whether to launch an investigation.
Heinz apologised for any offence caused.
"It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK.
"The advertisement, part of a short-run campaign, was intended to be humorous and we apologise to anyone who felt offended."
The ad is set in a family kitchen, where, instead of an apron-clad mum, a brawny New York short-order chef is preparing the kids' packed lunches.
Viewers see the children address him as "Mum" as he hands over their sandwiches, but when their father starts to leave for work, the chef calls him back and gruffly demands: "Ain't ya forgettin' something?" The father smiles, and plants a kiss on the side of his mouth.
"Love ya! Straight home from work, sweet cheeks," the chef calls after him.
AMV BBDO, the advertising agency which made the ad, said that the idea was that the product "tastes as if you have your own New York deli man in your kitchen".
It is the first TV commercial that the agency has produced for Heinz since winning the food manufacturer's £10m-a-year advertising contract earlier this year.
Heinz said that it decided to withdraw the TV commercial last week, and that it was no longer on air as of Friday.
It is understood that the commercial was not shown during children's television programming, because of new rules from Ofcom that restrict ads for products high in fat, salt and sugar."
There are some precious people out there!!
Anyway, I think the ad should be pulled for the simple reason that it is crap and painfully unfunny.
Jenny Booth
A mayonnaise ad that shows two men kissing has been withdrawn from television after 200 viewers complained that it was offensive.
Heinz, which makes the New York Deli Mayo featured in the commercial, pulled the advertisement less than a week into its expected five week run, in response to the criticism.
Viewers told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the ad was inappropriate and unsuitable for children to see. The ASA has not yet decided whether to launch an investigation.
Heinz apologised for any offence caused.
"It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK.
"The advertisement, part of a short-run campaign, was intended to be humorous and we apologise to anyone who felt offended."
The ad is set in a family kitchen, where, instead of an apron-clad mum, a brawny New York short-order chef is preparing the kids' packed lunches.
Viewers see the children address him as "Mum" as he hands over their sandwiches, but when their father starts to leave for work, the chef calls him back and gruffly demands: "Ain't ya forgettin' something?" The father smiles, and plants a kiss on the side of his mouth.
"Love ya! Straight home from work, sweet cheeks," the chef calls after him.
AMV BBDO, the advertising agency which made the ad, said that the idea was that the product "tastes as if you have your own New York deli man in your kitchen".
It is the first TV commercial that the agency has produced for Heinz since winning the food manufacturer's £10m-a-year advertising contract earlier this year.
Heinz said that it decided to withdraw the TV commercial last week, and that it was no longer on air as of Friday.
It is understood that the commercial was not shown during children's television programming, because of new rules from Ofcom that restrict ads for products high in fat, salt and sugar."
There are some precious people out there!!
Anyway, I think the ad should be pulled for the simple reason that it is crap and painfully unfunny.
In reply to Cú Chullain: I saw that on telly recently, I really didn't comprehend the gay connection more that it was a deli man.
Oh well shows how much attention I pay doesn't it!
Cx
ps don't find it in the least bit offensive either
Oh well shows how much attention I pay doesn't it!
Cx
ps don't find it in the least bit offensive either
In reply to Cú Chullain:
Interesting, given the possibly homophobic (or at any rate, alluding quite openly to homosexuality) moment in the hit Disney film 'Enchanted', which seemed to go totally unnoticed apart from an unsuccessful Blue Straggler thread on UKC!
Interesting, given the possibly homophobic (or at any rate, alluding quite openly to homosexuality) moment in the hit Disney film 'Enchanted', which seemed to go totally unnoticed apart from an unsuccessful Blue Straggler thread on UKC!
In reply to Cú Chullain:
Won't somebody please think of the children?
How ridiculous! This sort of thing just panders to those idiots who see something inherently offensive about homosexuality. Why is seeing a man kiss a man more offensive than a man kissing a woman, or loads of the other crap that goes on in adverts?
Won't somebody please think of the children?
How ridiculous! This sort of thing just panders to those idiots who see something inherently offensive about homosexuality. Why is seeing a man kiss a man more offensive than a man kissing a woman, or loads of the other crap that goes on in adverts?
In reply to Clears:
I was the same. On reading the headline I assumed it was an advert I hadn't seen. As insufferable as it was, I found it a pretty good ad, really!
> (In reply to Cú Chullain) I saw that on telly recently, I really didn't comprehend the gay connection more that it was a deli man.
I was the same. On reading the headline I assumed it was an advert I hadn't seen. As insufferable as it was, I found it a pretty good ad, really!
In reply to ericoides:
Or Footy! -- There's too much of that sort of thing whenever a goal is scored. You dont see people who play proper sports like Cricketers or Rugby types going in for that sort of effete mullarkey.
Or Footy! -- There's too much of that sort of thing whenever a goal is scored. You dont see people who play proper sports like Cricketers or Rugby types going in for that sort of effete mullarkey.
In reply to Cú Chullain:
I heard this story on the news the other night and initially thought heinz had done it purely for publicity. Then i saw the add (for a 2nd time, not realising that it was that add that caused the controversy), and thought what an over reaction from the straight brigade.
It's not like the two men were protrayed as gay men or engaging in blatantly gay practices.
I do feel sorry for Heinz as they seem to have made an advert without any obvious desire to offend (as some companies do), and as such they are taking flack from both sides of the argument.
In response to the complaints, they withdrew the advert, but are now being criticised and boycotted by gay organisations.
They really can't win!
I heard this story on the news the other night and initially thought heinz had done it purely for publicity. Then i saw the add (for a 2nd time, not realising that it was that add that caused the controversy), and thought what an over reaction from the straight brigade.
It's not like the two men were protrayed as gay men or engaging in blatantly gay practices.
I do feel sorry for Heinz as they seem to have made an advert without any obvious desire to offend (as some companies do), and as such they are taking flack from both sides of the argument.
In response to the complaints, they withdrew the advert, but are now being criticised and boycotted by gay organisations.
They really can't win!
In reply to Cú Chullain:
What a load of rubbish. Those people who complained obviously assumed that there was a subtle undertone that meant that the deli chef had put poppers in his sauce
What a load of rubbish. Those people who complained obviously assumed that there was a subtle undertone that meant that the deli chef had put poppers in his sauce
In reply to Cú Chullain:
I'd rather someone withdrew the advert of that silly bint pouring a pint of milk into carton of cereal then pouring it down her neck.
I'd rather someone withdrew the advert of that silly bint pouring a pint of milk into carton of cereal then pouring it down her neck.
In reply to Cú Chullain:
had the chef character licked a blob of mayo off a butt plug I could understand a degree of uneasiness, but this is just daft.
had the chef character licked a blob of mayo off a butt plug I could understand a degree of uneasiness, but this is just daft.
I find it more disturbing the amount of nudity that passes by in adverts, the preponderance of this is far more prevalent than a cheeky kiss in an advert. some complainers need to look at their priorities.
i've just realised i'm complaining about complainers... i'm off for a lie down.
i've just realised i'm complaining about complainers... i'm off for a lie down.
In reply to FrankBooth: roffles!
There aren't any hard and fast rules about what can and can't go in an advert - it's all down to summary judgements.
That unfortunately means some groups get discriminated against. Try getting an advert screened which shows a woman is incompetent or a man as competent, especially in a family context, if you want to try it!
That unfortunately means some groups get discriminated against. Try getting an advert screened which shows a woman is incompetent or a man as competent, especially in a family context, if you want to try it!
In reply to niggle:
Like the one for a shampoo advert or such, where the blokes are so busy watching the woman that they are unaware of thier impending death.
I understand that one got pulled on the bais that the reverse would rightly be considered questionable.
If I won the lottery, rather than launching some obscure Keep the Pound party, as seems to be a millionare's want these days, I would run the Heinz advert, but have the bloke kissing the Bishop of Rochester.
Like the one for a shampoo advert or such, where the blokes are so busy watching the woman that they are unaware of thier impending death.
I understand that one got pulled on the bais that the reverse would rightly be considered questionable.
If I won the lottery, rather than launching some obscure Keep the Pound party, as seems to be a millionare's want these days, I would run the Heinz advert, but have the bloke kissing the Bishop of Rochester.
In reply to Nevis-the-cat:
Is that similar to Bashing the bishop?
> (In reply to niggle)
>
> I would run the Heinz advert, but have the bloke kissing the Bishop of Rochester.
>
> I would run the Heinz advert, but have the bloke kissing the Bishop of Rochester.
Is that similar to Bashing the bishop?
In reply to paulmcg:
"I find it more disturbing the amount of nudity that passes by in adverts, the preponderance of this is far more prevalent than a cheeky kiss in an advert. some complainers need to look at their priorities."
Don't recall seeing any full nudity on UK channels unless you count the half second sly side view (no nipple on show) of a women's breast in a deodorant advert as 'nudity'. Try living in France or Italy, tits everywhere whether it be selling paperclips or garden compost, a model needlessly flashing her tits seems to be the advertising default. I hated every minute of it...
"I find it more disturbing the amount of nudity that passes by in adverts, the preponderance of this is far more prevalent than a cheeky kiss in an advert. some complainers need to look at their priorities."
Don't recall seeing any full nudity on UK channels unless you count the half second sly side view (no nipple on show) of a women's breast in a deodorant advert as 'nudity'. Try living in France or Italy, tits everywhere whether it be selling paperclips or garden compost, a model needlessly flashing her tits seems to be the advertising default. I hated every minute of it...
In reply to Cú Chullain:
Was just reading about this on an industry forum. I've not seen it before but couldn't believe that they pulled it.
Top marks to Heinz for a great ad but 'boo!' to them too for pulling it.
There's nothing offensive at all about this advert. It's ludicrous!
Like somebody said above, Brookside never got pulled with the gay kiss, Eastenders had a gay couple too and I believe there's a gay couple on Hollyoaks at the moment too. All of which are watched by children. In fact, Hollyoaks is ONLY watched by children I reckon.
Was just reading about this on an industry forum. I've not seen it before but couldn't believe that they pulled it.
Top marks to Heinz for a great ad but 'boo!' to them too for pulling it.
There's nothing offensive at all about this advert. It's ludicrous!
Like somebody said above, Brookside never got pulled with the gay kiss, Eastenders had a gay couple too and I believe there's a gay couple on Hollyoaks at the moment too. All of which are watched by children. In fact, Hollyoaks is ONLY watched by children I reckon.
In reply to Hjonesy:
And grown up children! Ahem
> In fact, Hollyoaks is ONLY watched by children I reckon.
And grown up children! Ahem
Thats a class advert! funny, and well thought out. bloody crazy PC americans.
In reply to rusty_nails:
I think the complaints were largely because they were a gay couple with ward of children.
Which everyone knows is an open invitation to pederasty.
I think the complaints were largely because they were a gay couple with ward of children.
Which everyone knows is an open invitation to pederasty.
In reply to all of you:
I can't believe the narrow mindeness of you all, everyone knows that being (male) gay = pedophile!
I for one wouldn't want to see a couple of queers (m or f) kissing over the breakfast table... yuk!
I can't believe the narrow mindeness of you all, everyone knows that being (male) gay = pedophile!
I for one wouldn't want to see a couple of queers (m or f) kissing over the breakfast table... yuk!
In reply to mountainmadness:
I disagree.
Some milfs are clearly engaging in hot lesbian activy and, by their very title are parents.
Therefore hot lesbian milfs are good mums.
It's only gay dad's who are pedaloes. As in:
youtube.com/watch?v=LHXeo57xj3k&
I disagree.
Some milfs are clearly engaging in hot lesbian activy and, by their very title are parents.
Therefore hot lesbian milfs are good mums.
It's only gay dad's who are pedaloes. As in:
youtube.com/watch?v=LHXeo57xj3k&
In reply to Cú Chullain: The advert was hardly a 'gay' thing, t was suppoded to be comical in the pantmime sense.
Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way makes me hit the 'change channel' button instantly. YUK YUK YUK!!!
Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way makes me hit the 'change channel' button instantly. YUK YUK YUK!!!
In reply to cragtaff:
>
how do you feel about seeing two women kiss in a 'lesbian' way?
>
>
> Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way makes me hit the 'change channel' button instantly. YUK YUK YUK!!!
> Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way makes me hit the 'change channel' button instantly. YUK YUK YUK!!!
how do you feel about seeing two women kiss in a 'lesbian' way?
In reply to cragtaff:
please define, what's kissing in a gay way?
> (In reply to Cú Chullain) The advert was hardly a 'gay' thing, t was suppoded to be comical in the pantmime sense.
>
> Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way [...]
>
> Having said that, seeing two blokes kiss in a 'gay' way [...]
please define, what's kissing in a gay way?
In reply to CJD:
Where? How much?
> (In reply to cragtaff)
> [...]
>
> how do you feel about seeing two women kiss in a 'lesbian' way?
> [...]
>
> how do you feel about seeing two women kiss in a 'lesbian' way?
Where? How much?
In reply to Cú Chullain:
I hope when our children are adults they'll find all this sort of discussion terribly quaint.
I hope when our children are adults they'll find all this sort of discussion terribly quaint.
In reply to CJD: That's OK, that's pretty normal.
In reply to mountainmadness: its when two men kiss with sexual overtones or in a manner that is for sexual gratification. The way that heterosexuals kiss and unlike the way one kisses one's mother or maiden aunt. (or any aunt etc for that matter!)
In reply to brothersoulshine: I hope they see it as very odd and never accept it as normal which it can never be.
In reply to cragtaff: It's a storm in a tea cup and the complete opposite of 'political correctness gone mad'
Did these same people complain about eric & ernie sharing a bed in the 70s?
Did these same people complain about eric & ernie sharing a bed in the 70s?
In reply to Anglesey Pete:
Quite. To me the joke seemed to be more about having a New York Deli Man in the kitchen complete with accent and mannerisms. The kiss was part a punchline set-up as soon as the kids started to call him "Mum" and no more offensive than a kiss from a pantomime dame to her hero son.
Such over-sensitivity says more about the complainants than the advert.
> Did these same people complain about eric & ernie sharing a bed in the 70s?
Quite. To me the joke seemed to be more about having a New York Deli Man in the kitchen complete with accent and mannerisms. The kiss was part a punchline set-up as soon as the kids started to call him "Mum" and no more offensive than a kiss from a pantomime dame to her hero son.
Such over-sensitivity says more about the complainants than the advert.
In reply to cragtaff:
I get the feeling you're making the mistake of assuming that normal=good and not normal=bad.
> (In reply to brothersoulshine) I hope they see it as very odd and never accept it as normal which it can never be.
I get the feeling you're making the mistake of assuming that normal=good and not normal=bad.
In reply to brothersoulshine:
I've had that discussion with my daughter and it was a complete non-issue. She is fully aware and comfortable with the fact that there are Heterosexual and Homosexual relationships and both are equally acceptable.
> (In reply to Cú Chullain)
>
> I hope when our children are adults they'll find all this sort of discussion terribly quaint.
>
> I hope when our children are adults they'll find all this sort of discussion terribly quaint.
I've had that discussion with my daughter and it was a complete non-issue. She is fully aware and comfortable with the fact that there are Heterosexual and Homosexual relationships and both are equally acceptable.
In reply to Toby S:
Funny isn't it how a child can accept it but a grown man posting on this thread can't.
Funny isn't it how a child can accept it but a grown man posting on this thread can't.
In reply to Mooncat:
perhaps he's afraid to 'accept' it...
> (In reply to Toby S)
>
> Funny isn't it how a child can accept it but a grown man posting on this thread can't.
>
> Funny isn't it how a child can accept it but a grown man posting on this thread can't.
perhaps he's afraid to 'accept' it...
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