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
Adopted in 2011, the INCO regulation on the labelling of foodstuffs enters into force tomorrow. Allergens and nanomaterials are amongst the information that becomes compulsory on products, even for restaurants and on internet.
Starting today, shopping in England will eventually cost you an extra 5p for the plastic carrier bag, unless you bring your own shopping bag, or shop in smaller stores.
Vegan food come into it’s own in the East London district in the form of a new supermarket based at Homerton and named the Plant Based Supermarket which sells 100% vegan products.
Protein-enhanced snacks usually lose in taste what they gain in protein. Here, the Cocoa+ protein bar promises a delicious chocolate and tons of benefits.
