Awful

Worst Ad Ever Says You Can Exchange Your Unwanted ‘Ginger’ Child For Beer

Here’s a story you’ve never heard: I’m half-Irish and a natural redhead, and I’ve hated the latter part about myself my whole life. It was easy for my blond mother to tell me I’d appreciate my LiLo-esque stripes one day, but I never really did, and the best part of adulthood has been my freedom to visit the salon for full highlights. I’ve spent my life trying to be what I’m not because the world doesn’t take kindly to red-haired folks, as made even more obvious by a heinous new Hakanoa Ginger Beer ad that features a blond woman with a drink in hand beside the words, “Swap your ginger for six [beers].”

The stupid ad, which also includes the words, “Let’s be honest: no one really wants a ginger. So if you’ve got one, bring it in and we’ll swap it for something you really want,” sparked rage and left company beer producer, Rebekah Hay in tears and scared:

“I’m sorry I offended people. It was the reason behind the campaign that made us say yes. I wouldn’t have done it if it was just a joke.”

Some redheads have to worry about being attacked and taunted, and you expect me to feel sorry for you because you just realized calling a redheaded child an “it” is wrong? No, you’ll never earn my sympathy, especially since you perpetuated the problem of redhead hatred with your unoriginal and potentially dangerous ad.

But as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The poster came about after marketing manager, Dave King said his redheaded son was being picked on by school meanies, who snatched the poor boy’s bag, tossed it over a fence, and said, “That’s what you get for being ginger.” So what’s a dad to do when this happens to his child? Make light of the incident by promoting the harassment of redheads with an idiotic beer ad!

Unsurprisingly, there was a backlash, and I hope the alcohol provider takes a financial hit as a result of this completely unacceptable and intolerant ad.

[AdWeek]

TAGS: awful advertising | redheads

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