Yanked Heinz gay mayo ad: Watch and tell us what you think

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By April MacIntyre Jun 25, 2008, 14:52 GMT

Despite the fact that actors, TV newsmen and other notable personalities are coming out and going on about life as usual, it seems that the world of advertising is still strictly marginalized depicting anything alternative to heterosexual coupling on the smallscreen.

The latest news involves food conglomerate Heinz and their ad that ran on British telly showing a male couple, their kids and a jar of mayonnaise.The Times of London reports that the TV spot elicited over 200 viewers complaints stating that it was offensive. As a result, Heinz pulled the advertisement less than a week into its expected five week run.The Times noted that viewers "told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the ad was inappropriate and unsuitable for children to see."Heinz has offered apologies to consumers."It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognize that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK."The advertisement, part of a short-run campaign, was intended to be humorous and we apologise to anyone who felt offended."The ad has a New York American guy prepping school lunches in the morning for his two British children and then his British husband, who is off to work as well."Love ya! Straight home from work, sweet cheeks," the Yank chef says to his man.The commercial was not shown during children's television programming, because of new rules from Ofcom that restrict ads for products high in fat, salt and sugar, according to the Times of London.Watch and weigh in with your opinion; too far - or no big deal?

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BobJun 25th, 2008 - 15:56:29

No big Deal at all!

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Bitchie McSnitJun 25th, 2008 - 16:00:18

funny ad! what's the fuss?

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Beulah MaeJun 25th, 2008 - 16:04:01

Well, it's a tad bit bizarre -- why does the guy look like a New York butcher? Typically British humour, I guess. Other than taking slight exception to the guy being called 'mum' -- what's the big deal?

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Scott in CAJun 25th, 2008 - 16:04:16

Great ad. Oh my people, just get OVER it already. Learn to love everyone and life would be so much nicer for all.

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MichChickJun 25th, 2008 - 16:05:19

Other than the attempt to over do it on the way the 'Yank' spoke, I don't find anything wrong with it. It is a hard attempt on behalf of the company to over draumatize the gay lifestyle for (maybe) shock value. Seriously....even 'straight' partners do not call each other 'sweet cheeks'.

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HarvJun 25th, 2008 - 16:08:14

Sick, Sick Sick. Especially bringing innocent children into the perversion.

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Rick ChicagoJun 25th, 2008 - 16:08:24

Unbelievable! Two people who share a home, children and their life can’t be represented on TV by your product? Why not? In essence, they caved into a couple hundred closed minded morons, which I don’t think is great customer service. Not to mention they've deprived millions of people from seeing another side of life, a side that is as normal as any other side of life to millions and millions of gay folks. Gay folks who buy products.

Shame on Heinz!

Rick
USA

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NotuptightJun 25th, 2008 - 16:08:30

OMG! That was so benign! People need to relax. Sheesh, no big deal.

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Lynda in ArizonaJun 25th, 2008 - 16:08:37

What a great ad! It feels good to be included in something as ordinary as a family mayo ad!

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BrookeJun 25th, 2008 - 16:09:22

Was this ad even supposed to be showing a gay couple? I took it as the guy making the sandwiches was actually the 'mom', but she made sandwiches like a New York deli (due to the awesome mayo)...so they show her as a NY deli guy and it all just adds up to a hilarious commercial. Even if it really was a gay couple, I would find the ad to be less genius, but still pretty funny.

Man, I thought people in Europe were supposed to be LESS uptight. What a bunch of whiners.

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