ARTICLE:
Kids React to Controversial Cheerios Commercial
VIDEO:
Reminds me of being in a brand messaging workshop at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity last month…
Out of the approximate 100 people in the workshop I attended, the majority of folks were South American, European or Asian. The agency sponsoring the workshop, Golin Harris, showed us this Cheerios commercial to ignite a discussion. I, and a handful of our UGA students, being American, were seemingly the only ones who had prior exposure to this commercial. We had already endured its fodder in our own time prior to the Fest.
What was so amazing to me though was that, when asked, literally NONE of the people in the room had any idea what the controversy was in this particular Cheerios ad. It finally took the workshop moderator spelling it out for the room (which, I can assure you he had not anticipated on having to do).
The fellow ad-industry professionals surrounding me audibly groaned, rolled their eyes or verbally expressed their disbelief at the moderator’s explanation of the trivial biracial factor of this ad.
How eye-opening, it is, that something that wouldn’t even be a blip on the radar in so many other parts of the world was considered controversial in the U.S. To say the least, it restored faith in my fellow man, but also made me question the me wonder what the hell is wrong with people here at home.
I know racism is very much alive in many pockets of the world in various cultures and countries every day. However, it is without question, a ridiculous issue for America –a civilized, educated (more so than other places…), Western society– to still have such a vocal presence at this day and age.
Grow up. Move on. Evolve.
Dumbfounding how a nation of people who have SO MUCH can still possess hoards of bigots who think so small…
Off The Duff 