Scarlett Johansson and SodaStream have been banned from the Super Bowl. As the face of SodaStream’s newest commercial, Johansson makes a comment mentioning the names of competitors, Pepsi and Coca Cola. Since Pepsi and Coke are the largest and most notable names in the soda industry, Fox has seemingly banned the ad in order to not ruffle any feathers.
Welcome to America, where the First Amendment is freedom of speech… unless you’re a huge cable-network broadcasting an event on the year’s biggest night for ad sales and don’t want to piss off your largest buyers! Congratulations, Pepsi and Coke, you win.
Or did you?
Since the ad was banned, it has gone viral in one day. With almost 1.5 million views in just 24 hours, SodaStream has already gotten the exposure it wanted for the ad. The best part for SodaStream is that with 5 days left until the big kick off, the company still has time to edit the ad so it can be aired during its purchased slot. However, the experience has left a not-so-sweet taste in the mouth of SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum. “…they’re afraid," he said, Coke and Pepsi… What are they afraid of? Which advertiser in America doesn’t mention a competitor?”
It is not uncommon for Super Bowl ads to get banned for inappropriate language or suggestive content. Scarlett Johansson has also had her fair share of controversy as a sexual object. However, the ban over SodaStream’s ad deemed as “too risqué for Fox” is in all honesty quite ridiculous.
Watch the banned ad below and make your own call…
