It all comes back to the autonomy of the regional divisions. AFAICT, this ad was made by Australians for an Australian audience, and there’s no reason to think the American divisions knew anything about the ad.
Sure, but maybe they should have considering the reaction to the ad. The Internet is pretty global–things travel. And yeah, it’s easy to say people should just get over it, but is that happening now?
The stereotype of a white person being surrounded by and afraid of dark-skinned people is so deep-rooted in American culture that that ad could not work in the United States, for any product. It doesn’t matter whether a particular American viewing the ad is white, black, personally bigoted, or personally open-minded–said viewer would giggle (or get angry) and think, “the white guy is afraid of the black people”.
The surrounding crowd would have to be multi-racial, end of story. If a multi-racial crowd wouldn’t work (as for a visiting African or West Indian team), then the ad wouldn’t work.
Advertising agencies also work on a regional basis, though. I work in international marketing and advertising, and we always let local agencies come up with campaigns appropriate to the region. There’s no way we would dictate what a local agency tells us is right, because we simply don’t have the experience, cultural understanding, and expertise that is specific to the market we’re trying to influence. Furthermore, most overseas offices of advertising agencies are run on a semi-franchise basis.
:smack: How can you consider the reaction to an ad when you aren’t even aware that there is the likelihood of a reaction?
But do you understand the implication of offering a cask of (cheap) wine to a group of black people? Does this ping your racism-meter as a US citizen?
I am sure they did. What is apparent though is that they underestimated the ability of some to willfully ignore context.
Assuming aren’t backing the (IMHO ridiculous) position of Fear Itself that this was deliberate on the part of KFC Australia, let me ask you this. Do you think a foreign company should, on moral grounds, not as a business decision, avoid marketing materials that have no negative connotation in the market in which they were used, but that, if viewed in the United States, might have unintended negative connotations? If so, is it just because the company concerned has an American parent?
I’m not trying any kind of gotcha here - I actually want to understand where you are coming from because I don’t think you have taken that extra step to looking at this as a deliberate plan on behalf of KFC to drum up business from the Sydney Klavern.
“Hey, we’re shooting an ad with looks around black fellas in it. Do with need to clear this with America?”
You are effectively suggesting that every TV advertising campaign from now until the end of time should be cleared with Americans (and presumably every other cultural group) to ensure that it might not accidentally offend anybody if uploaded to YouTube.
I would agree with this.
Well, I guess you can’t, but they’re probably going to work a lot harder to prevent something like this from happening in the future. I’m guessing that they’re really going to cover their asses with another ad with black people in it.
This part is probably true, and it’s sad. Another victory for the lowest common denominator.
Yes, that would make it even worse. But my point is, the context is problematic (to Americans) even before considering the particular “gift” being proferred.
Which brings us full-circle to a certain lack of comprehension of international matters from some people.
Freudian Slit, did you see the KFC ad from the Caribbean posted earlier? It associates black people with fried chicken! Should the makers of that ad have considered the effect the ad has on the US? Why isn’t there an outcry about that?!
Do they need to cover their asses? No! Because it’s not made for the US FFS!!! The US isn’t and shouldn’t be a consideration when making ads for a local market.
Jesus H Christ on a bike. Mutter mutter mutter this thread continues to be utterly unbelievable.
I can’t think of any situation in which you could offer alcoholic beverages to a specific racial grouping (including white people) without it looking bad. 21-34 year old white males, perhaps.
Why would you waste wine when 40s of malt liquor would go over much better?
I guess I’m not making my point very well here. 
Y’see, in Australia, fried chicken is not regarded as a cultural indicator (for want of a better term). It means absolutely nothing to the Australian audience.
But were the advertisement to show a cask of wine being handed around, I believe everyone here would understand the racist implications: that the Windies are just like the Aborigines because of the colour of their skin, and therefore a box of goon will calm them down and allow Mick the opportunity to watch his beloved cricket match in peace. Here, that stereotype is pervasive and would raise many a hackle if such an ad were to be shown.
I wonder if it would garner such a vehement reaction in the US?
Well, it’s not to you, but an Australian might be offended, since alcoholism is Down Under mostly a “black” problem and most alcoholics there are… guess
Let’s put a German twist on the debate, watch the Video.
…would any US citizen be offended by this? They are clearly taking the piss on fast food, right?
I meant to say from an American perspective. Should have been more clear.
kambuckta, is there something specific to the cask which makes it offensive? Are Aborigines not supposed to drink from bottles? Or is it just that it’s alcohol.
Well, to be more precise, alcoholism is a problem right through the community, black AND white, but alcohol abuse is a major issue for many Aboriginal folk, particularly in remote areas of the country. Just to get the record straight.
Which is pretty much the problem right there isn’t it? Having a white guy amongst some black people is problematic to Americans. What they don’t seem to get is that it is not necessarily problematic to other countries (it can be problematic, it depends on further context.)
I don’t think so but if you offered a group of black US Americans some grape drink it might.
Dave Chappelle explains.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6609610050744968737#