Heinz and German Doner Kebab have pulled their social media campaign content amidst controversy.
- Influencer Yung Filly’s arrest on serious allegations has led to swift action by associated brands.
- Posts related to the Secret Sauce campaign are no longer present on the brands’ social media.
- Yung Filly’s involvement with other brands has seen similar retractions.
- Heinz recently faced criticism over racially insensitive advertisements.
Heinz, in collaboration with German Doner Kebab, had launched a social media campaign featuring a limited edition product called ‘Secret Sauce’. However, the content associated with this campaign has been removed following the arrest of social media influencer Yung Filly. The action taken by these brands underscores the serious nature of the allegations.
Yung Filly, a prominent social media figure with over 18 million YouTube subscribers and appearances on shows like The Great Celebrity Bake Off, was arrested in Australia on charges of sexual assault. This incident has led to several brands distancing themselves from the influencer, reflecting the growing corporate sensitivity to the personal conduct of their brand ambassadors.
In addition to the removal of the Secret Sauce campaign, Yung Filly also lost collaboration with other entities. For instance, a joint venture with M&S that included interviews with sports stars such as Bukayo Saka was also halted.
Concurrently, Heinz faced scrutiny for two advertisements considered racially insensitive. One ad depicted a fatherless black family, which the brand acknowledged as unintentionally perpetuating negative stereotypes. Another ad was criticised for perceived similarities to blackface. These controversies have forced Heinz to respond and adjust their marketing strategies promptly.
The swift actions by these brands highlight the impact of public perception and the accountability of influencers.
