Heinz Deli Mayo Ad Featuring Gay Kiss Pulled in UK

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 2:55pm

So much for progress. The Heinz Deli Mayo ad featuring a "mum" who was replaced by a New York Deli Chef as well as a gay kiss has been pulled from the airwaves in the UK after receiving more than 200 complaints:

"The Heinz Deli Mayo ad has been pulled after less than a week on air after viewers complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it was 'offensive' and 'inappropriate to see two men kissing'. Other complaints include that the ad was 'unsuitable to be seen by children' and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers. 'It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise 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."

It's just horrible to see two grown men in a nurturing environment who obviously care for one another, showing the proper way to bring up children.

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/06/heinz-deli-ma-1.html

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 4:36pm

Maybe it's just me but I didn't read that commercial as being about a Gay couple. Saw it more as a mother and father where the mother was transformed into a NY Deliman am assuming by using Heinz Deli Mayo.... Hmmm gots to get me some of that She-at!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:08pm

Other complaints include that the ad was 'unsuitable to be seen by children' and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers.

A mayonnaise commercial raises this issue, but nationally legalizing gay marriage doesn't???

Updated On: 6/24/08 at 05:08 PM

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:22pm

"Other complaints include that the ad was 'unsuitable to be seen by children' and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers."

If parents aren't comfortable discussing the issue of same-sex relationships, then turn off the damn television, radio, computer, in fact any source of news and discourse.

Move into your basement, home-school your kids, and wait for the rapture.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:39pm

I love the word "rapture". It sounds so sexy.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:49pm

I would think that in the UK things would be a bit more tolerant.

As a mom, I agree that you should be able to discuss same sex relationships with your children, and this actually might have been a good jumping off point.

I mean I can see maybe not airing it on a children's only channel with very young viewers since they can be harder to explain things to, but it's sad that they withdrew it altogether.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 6:35pm

You know I LOVE that ad! It made me giggle. But the one thing of which I'm absolutely certain is: It sells no mayo.
Updated On: 6/24/08 at 06:35 PM

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 6:55pm

It isn't a gay kiss - the husband is kissing his wife (female) but she is shown as a New York deli man. 'She' makes the sandwiches for her children etc...

I thought it was a clever advert, and I did buy some of the mayo, I never thought of it as a gay kiss (but wouldn't have a problem with that - probably why I didn't think of it)

EDIT: just found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCJo8MCwwnU

I can see why Americans might misconstrue it, but in the UK a NY Deli man isn't going to be in the kitchen so he obviously isn't the husband's partner. Updated On: 6/24/08 at 06:55 PM