A parents advocacy group is condemning a new Carl’s Jr. advertisement featuring TikTok influencer Alix Earle, which some are likening to “soft core porn”. The 45-second ad promotes the company’s post-Super Bowl “free hangover burger” and features Earle dressed in a revealing outfit.
The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) has issued a statement urging families to exercise viewer discretion before the Super Bowl. PTC Vice President Melissa Henson called the ad “sexually suggestive imagery” that is reminiscent of Carl’s Jr.’s past racy campaigns, which she claims alienated customers years ago.
In 2017, CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr., publicly committed to keeping its ads family-friendly after a string of sexually-charged ads. However, it appears the brand has revisited its old strategy.
One Million Moms, a Christian advocacy group, led the fight against Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.’s racy ad campaigns in the past, resulting in CKE dropping the campaign altogether. The group is now warning that Carl’s Jr. is “re-steering its marketing to focus on food” – a move they perceive as an attempt to regain attention by reverting to provocative ads.
The new ad has already drawn backlash from watchdog organizations and family groups, with many calling for families to avoid watching it during the Super Bowl.
Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/watchdog-slams-super-bowl-ad-for-free-hangover-burger.html