For a phony online dating ad - in which he stars on behalf of his role as Popchips' “president of pop culture" - Ashton Kutcher dons multiple costumes and pretends to be four different eligible bachelors.
There's a character named Raj, for example, that features the actor in brown face and and with an Indian accent.
And while it's all meant to be in good fun, many on the Internet have not reacted with laughter.
“I can’t imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting brown makeup on a white person in 2012 so they can do a bad “funny” accent in order to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course," wrote Anil Dash, a tech blogger, in response to the spot. "Make some different decisions."
And Popchips now has: the company has pulled the ad from YouTube and Facebook, while releasing the following statement:
"The new Popchips worldwide dating video and ad campaign featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone. At Popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended."
What do YOU think? Should the spot have been removed from the Internet?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.