Mars Pulls U.K. Snickers Ad Criticized as Homophobic

[meegbear]

Second Time Brand Has Come Under Fire; Gay-Rights Group Applauds Marketer's Decision

Mars has pulled a U.K. Snickers spot criticized for being homophobic, according to a gay-rights group.

This is the second time the marketer has come under fire for homophobic advertising for Snickers. It was also criticized for a 2007 Super Bowl ad in which two men expressed disgust after accidentally kissing.

According to Human Rights Campaign, Mars announced its decision "following communication between the HRC Workplace Project and Mars."

'Get some nuts'
The ad, created by Omnicom Group's AMV BBDO in London, featured an effeminate speed-walking man who is ridiculed by Mr. T and shot at by a Snickers cannon. The spot closes with Mr. T shouting the campaign tagline: "Get some nuts."

HRC Workplace Director Daryl Herrschaft in a statement said the group "applauds Mars for taking swift and appropriate action" but added that it was "surprised to see the company return to the same practice it had just recently rejected."

Mars could not be immediately reached for comment. You can see the ad here.

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. Now WHAT does an effeminate speed walker have to do with gays?

No one I know, and I know a lot of gay people, would be seen speed walking effeminately.

[bdf]

2. You sure?

Some of the gays I know would do that, because they do everything effeminately. Well, they would speed-walk effeminately if they were into speed-walking. :)

And before anyone asks, neither homosexuality nor speed-walking are things I have any inclination to indulge in. But if that's what somebody enjoys then that is their privilege. If somebody gets horny from speed-walking, far be it from me to criticise them - I have my own weird preferences. :)

[Cronus Protagonist]

5. I do know a straight guy who walks effeminately

Perhaps a straight-rights group should be the ones complaining about the ad.... hahah :P

[Maven]

7. It's the stereotype being invoked. nt

[ingac70]

3. There is no way to look masculine while speed-walking. n/t

[YOY]

4. True dat...

Even Charlton Heston would have speed walked so.

Imagine Randy "The Macho Man" Savage doing it. Still effeminate.

[WillParkinson]

6. Wow...

I served Mr. T a long time ago. He was considerate and friendly. I'm really saddened by the fact that he appeared in this piece of tripe.

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

8. It's not homophobic, it's speed-walkingophobic N/T

[Sandaasu]

9. I still don't see what's homopboic about it either.

While I'm glad Mars cares about what the HRC thinks of their ads, I'm perhaps a bit unhappy about the HRC complaining about it in the first place.

Mr. T talking about nuts makes me chuckle too.