UK Burger Chain In Strife For ‘Mocking’ Vegetarians In New Campaign

UK Burger Chain In Strife For ‘Mocking’ Vegetarians In New Campaign
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine



What a time to be a vegan, what with all the MLA Australia Day debacles, and now this new ad from UK burger chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK).

The chain has come under attack for a series of advertisements that aren’t exactly sympathetic to the plight of the vegetarian.

The adverts have popped up mostly in London Underground stations and trains, featuring taglines such as “Vegetarians, resistance is futile”, and “You’ll always remember when you gave up being a vegetarian”.

GBK has since said it will remove some adverts after it was called out for “mocking” vegetarians.

People have also taken to social media to condemn GBK’s ads, using the hashtag #gourmetmurderkitchen to highlight what has been perceived to be a flippant attitude towards a vego’s choice.

In a statement posted on their Facebook page, GBK said: “We’ve been reading the reaction to our latest advertising campaign and needless to say, we’re quite taken aback.

“Our intentions were light-hearted and not meant to cause any offence, but clearly we have, and for that we apologise.

“Having read all your comments and messages, we’ve made the decision to take down some of the adverts.”

But it’s simply not enough to appease the people, with commenters responding with messages like, “What a non-apology! … This is the same patronising tone, and the same lack of understanding, that your mindless, childish, bullying advertising campaign employed in the first place”.

 




Latest News

Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions
  • Advertising

Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions

Tara Ford, chief creative officer of The Monkeys and Accenture Song, is set to serve on the Titanium jury at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The Aussie adland legend said that she “can’t wait” to join the panel of judges and that the Award was particularly close to her heart. “Titanium is […]

“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma
  • Marketing

“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma

Patrick Radden Keefe (pictured), author of global bestseller, Empire of Pain, talked to B&T‘s Nancy Hromin at the Samsung Jaipur Literary Festival about reputation laundering, aggressive marketing strategies and the privilege of still being able to practice pure journalism and be paid for it. Keefe’s in-depth reporting in publications such as The New Yorker and […]