In the wake of influencer Yung Filly’s arrest, a joint social media campaign featuring Heinz’s ‘Secret Sauce’ and the restaurant chain German Donor Kebab (GDK) has been abruptly discontinued.
The collaboration, which included internet personalities such as Harry Pinero and Yung Filly, featured a limited edition product that garnered significant attention across social media. However, following the arrest of Yung Filly on sexual assault allegations in Australia, all related content has been removed from their online platforms.
The swift removal marks a notable shift, as other promotional materials from Heinz, such as those highlighting their previous collaboration for the ‘Barbie-cue’ sauce with Mattel’s Barbie, continue to remain accessible.
Yung Filly, known for his appearances on television shows like ‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off’ and boasting over 18 million YouTube subscribers, has seen brands distance themselves rapidly. Marks & Spencer, for instance, has also dropped a campaign involving Filly, which was intended to include interviews with sports figures like Bukayo Saka, Ezri Konsa, and Jarrod Bowen.
This development for Heinz comes shortly after the brand had to issue an apology concerning two advertisements accused of racial insensitivity. One of these adverts, featured in a London Tube campaign, was criticised for allegedly perpetuating negative stereotypes, prompting its removal along with another advert criticised for minstrel-esque similarities.
As the situation unfolds, the swift actions taken by these brands underscore the significant impact of public allegations on commercial partnerships.
