After Pepsi's Ad Bombs, Heineken Hits a Home Run

It shows differing opinions don't have to divide us
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 27, 2017 11:31 AM CDT
Updated Apr 30, 2017 6:59 AM CDT

Like Pepsi's recent Kendall Jenner bomb, Heineken's new ad takes a political angle. But whereas Pepsi's ad was labeled as decidedly "tone-deaf," Heineken provides the "antidote," per Fast Company. The ad, titled "Worlds Apart," begins with three pairs of strangers meeting in a warehouse. Each pair is instructed to build two stools, then sit atop them as they answer questions about themselves. Next they construct a bar and are told to place two bottles of beer on top. All of this is accomplished with the appearance of friendships forming. But things get awkward: Suddenly a video plays showing the individuals giving decidedly different opinions on climate change, feminism, and transgender rights.

The participants are then given the option to leave or stay and have a beer with their new acquaintance. All decide to stay—though there’s a tense moment where one participant walks toward the exit—and "the forgiveness—the immediate acceptance in the room—is palpable," reports Adweek. "And it isn't just the people in the ad who are momentarily absolved of their incompatible beliefs. Watching it, we are too." It's hardly the only outlet heaping praise on the ad from agency Publicis London. It "gets to the heart of political engagement in a straightforward way that makes Pepsi's self-congratulatory ad seem even more embarrassing," reports Fast Company. It's "beautiful," adds Sarah Silverman on Twitter, per Mediaite. (More Heineken stories.)

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