Metro Weekly

Heinz TV ad pulled over inclusion of ‘gay kiss’ [video]

”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.”

Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK, explaining why the condiment company pulled an ad for Deli Mayo after just one week. The ad features a man in a kitchen wearing a delicatessen chef’s outfit. Two children call him ”mum” and head off to school, then another hurried man enters saying, ”See you tonight, Love.” They kiss and the delicatessen chef says, ”Love you! Straight home from work, Sweet Cheeks.” It is reported that about 200 people complained that the ad was offensive or inappropriate. (Guardian UK) (YouTube)

”The mum transforms into a New York deli chef because this sandwich taste is so good…. It’s like having your own deli chef in the kitchen. It wasn’t intended to be a gay couple, it was intended to be a humorous metaphor for these great-tasting sandwiches.”

Nigel Dickie of Heinz saying the ad had been pulled because it failed in its message. (BBC News)

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!