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New BK controversy for CP+B

Advertising, Illustration

Posted by Eliza Williams, 15 April 2009, 10:31    Permalink    Comments (8)

A new commercial for Burger King from Crispin Porter + Bogusky is at the centre of a complaint from the Mexican ambassador to Spain, who claims it denigrates Mexico's image.

The spot, for the Texican Whopper burger, depicts a lanky cowboy moving in with a small Mexican wrestler. As the two settle in together, a voiceover intones, "People said it would never work, but somehow one plus one equals three... the Texican Whopper, the taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican." The ad is only airing in Europe and was shot by directing duo Albert through Thomas Thomas Films.


Poster accompanying the Spanish ad campaign

Spain's Mexican ambassador has complained in particular about the use of a cape worn by the Mexican wrestler, that appears to resemble the Mexican flag. The cape is particularly evident in the accompanying poster campaign, shown above. Mexico has strict laws that ban the defamation of its flag.

Controversy is nothing new for CP+B and Burger King, with their Whopper Virgins campaign earlier this year receiving accusations of being patronising and potentially exploitative after it depicted indigenous people eating burgers for the first time. Usually the client and agency ride out the storm, with the debate surrounding their ads often seen as being ultimately beneficial, yet, according to Ad Age, Burger King has this time issued a statement saying that the creative in the Texican Whopper spot will be revised, with a new version on air "as soon as commercially possible". It is unknown at this stage what changes will be made to the ad.

Meanwhile, if that weren't enough, CP+B and BK have also caused consternation from parents with regard to this ad/video for the burger brand, which aims to emphasise its tie-in with SpongeBob SquarePants. The spot shows the unnerving King character dancing around with a bunch of square-butted companions while singing a version of 90s hit Baby Got Back. While undeniably funny, if a little weird, it has raised the ire of advocacy groups in the US who complain it is overly sexual for a kid's meal ad.

8 Comments

That King guy scares me
thepicklebot
2009-04-15 12:04:37


The laws in Mexico regarding the use of the flag are indeed very strict, you can't even put waves in the flag I think. What concerns me is what would happen if in Mexico we were using the flag of Spain in a burger king ad, of a new product cointaining serrano ham or similar hahaha.
Raul
2009-04-15 12:36:13


Keep 'em coming Burger Kings. No denying the adverts are weird and not really to my taste (excuse the pun) but they're certainly distinctive, a lot of fun, very little to do with burgers, and if they offend a few people, even better.
Jim
2009-04-15 12:56:27


on the one hand everybody should respect Mexico's laws but on the other hand, Can we not just take the advert for what it is? an obvious tongue in cheek personification of the burger.
Lewis
2009-04-15 12:58:13


It's interesting. On one hand, it's like they are trying to keep up with Jack in the Box. This commercial had my wife and I laughing like mad! but then thinking of how it could be pretty mean...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut0WDb-xzks
Sean Zimmerman
2009-04-16 17:52:40


im from transylvania, and ive never eaten a hamburger in my life, not even after watching the crispin porter and bogusky ads. so i take it they didn try hard enough, or if they did, i didnt bother
andrea gassi
2009-04-16 21:14:03


The should have used a mariachi with a mask and change the order of the burger ingredients:

Lettuce + Onions + Tomatoes = Mexican Flag

I doubt the Spain’s Mexican ambassador would get that one, but I guess he doesn't have more important things to do than watching telly...
Juan
2009-04-17 12:10:31


I think my people (that is being Mexicans) are just being sissies over some small ad. I think the design for the poncho using the flag is rather clever.
The Man with No Name
2009-05-08 20:38:46


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