CNN’s coverage of Pepsi pulling its Kendall Jenner ad is one of those stories that makes you tilt your head and ask, “How did this clear a single meeting?” It’s a reminder that intent and impact aren’t the same thing, especially when a brand tries to borrow cultural meaning instead of earning it.
The ad had all the hallmarks of a brainstorm that went unchecked: big theme, glossy visuals, and a message that tried to solve something enormous with something fizzy. Instead of connection, it landed with a thud. Not because brands shouldn’t engage with culture—but because shortcuts rarely hold up under real attention.
What’s interesting is how quickly the internet served as the world’s focus group. In hours, the feedback loop went from applause (internal) to alarm (external). And to their credit, Pepsi responded fast.
If meaning matters more than ever, how do brands participate without overreaching? And what happens when companies finally realize that authenticity can’t be storyboarded?
Related article: CNN
