When Pepsi created its latest app, encouraging men to boast about 'scoring' with women, it failed to figure that around half of its audience might not take well to it. Now, Pepsi faces a backlash and possible boycott from enraged consumers.
The fizzy drink brand is fielding hundreds of angry comments after launching its latest iPhone app promoting the Amp energy drink. The 'Amp Up Before you Score' app is aimed at young men and provides them with a crib sheet for chatting up different types of women.
Girls are divided into 24 categories, including, rebound girl, sorority girl, tree hugger, married, twins and princess. Flicking through the data, men are given background information on what the girls' interests are likely to be and a range of chat up lines that are likely to work, so he will "know what makes her tick before you open your mouth, so she'll like what she hears when you do."
After he ‘scores' the man is encouraged to share his triumph with friends on Twitter, Facebook and email, inputting the girl's, name, date and "any other details" they remember. "You got it? Flaunt it. Keep your buddies in the loop on email, Facebook or Twitter," suggests the marketing for the app.
Since its release on Saturday the app has attracted comments ranging from threats of boycott to virtual ‘high fives'.
Pepsi responded to the uproar yesterday, posting an apology on Twitter, using the hashtag pepsifail.
"Our app tried 2 show the humorous lengths guys go 2 pick up women. We apologize if it's in bad taste & appreciate your feedback," Pepsi tweeted.
Despite the apology, Pepsi has not indicated whether it will remove the app from the Apple store.
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