If the silence from the official sponsor of the Sochi Olympic Games concerning the Russian anti-gay law has some up-in-arms, its latest sales initative is unlikely to improve the situation. The "Share a Coke" marketing campaign organised in different countries has taken a new turn in South Africa. In addition to the list of more than 400 first names that can replace the brand's logo on the can, the South African version of the dedicated "Share a Coke" website allowed a virtual bottle to be customised with the inscription of your choice. However, some words such as "gay", "lesbian" or "homo" are refused by the platform and produce a strange error message. "Oops, let's pretend you didn't just type that. Please try another name".
This could lead you to think that only proper nouns or ones with no sexual connotation can be validated. However, the word "straight" ("heterosexual") comes up with no problem at all on the red and white label of the drink. Whilst the brand has since closed its virtual customisation service, it has still not explained these discriminatory restrictions. For their part, homosexual rights defence associations are calling for a boycott of the brand.
*Illustration from the Coca-Cola Facebook page : https://shareacoke.co.za
News in the same category
Asda announced two weeks ago the opening of their first 24/7 Click-and-Collect point in St Helen. It's not only Asda's first one, its simply the first in the whole country. And it's intelligent.
Last March, the European Commission adopted a new action plan for organic farming, with the main components being reinforced traceability and the opening of the market to small producers.
Whether enjoying a little retail therapy at The Galleries, visiting the Bristol markets, or looking forward to the Hippodrome’s latest offering, a day out in Bristol wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its newest cafes, bars or restaurants.
Seen as the future in world food, edible insects are being transformed for the more reticent. While Micronutris raises them and produces chocolates, crackers and biscuits, Ento is going for innovative restaurants.