KFC has found itself in an awkward situation after an Australian ad campaign made its way to YouTube sparking accusations of racism from its American audience. Looks like they’ve should’ve just double downed instead.
The Aussie “Cricket Survival Guide” commercial shows a white man in a crowd of cheering black cricket fans. The Australian fan, named Mick, asks “Need a tip when you’re stuck in an awkward situation?” and then hands a bucket of KFC fried chicken to the black fans. The YouTube video had more than 250,000 views Wednesday afternoon and viewers left more than 3,300 comments.
Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhh……..
KFC Australia told Adelaide Now that while the ad could be perceived as racist, it was misunderstood by the American audience.
“It is a light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team,” the company said in a statement. “The ad was reproduced online in the U.S. without KFC’s permission, where we are told a culturally-based stereotype exists, leading to the incorrect assertion of racism.
“We unequivocally condemn discrimination of any type and have a proud history as one of the world’s leading employers for diversity.”
That’s some smooth damage controlin’ you got there. KFC Australia is now removing the television advertisement that was being run in conjunction with the Australian cricket season.
Ha! I love KFC Australia’s tactic: “Ra … cism? What is that?”
This is, of course, the same culture that kidnapped Aboriginal children to raise them white.