Lessons from History: How Pepsi's Kendall Jenner Ad Could Have Been Saved

As a marketing whiz who's also into US history, I've been mulling over the drama stirred up by Pepsi's latest ad with Kendall Jenner. Released just last week, it aimed to ride the wave of social activism but ended up catching flak for missing the mark on serious issues. From where I stand, having a more diverse team, especially folks with backgrounds in history and social sciences, could've saved Pepsi from this mess.

The ad, with Jenner handing a can of Pepsi to defuse a protest, got slammed for making light of movements like Black Lives Matter. It felt like they were boiling down deep-seated issues like police brutality and systemic racism into mere marketing gimmicks. Sure, as a marketer, I get the need to connect with the audience and stay on-trend. But as someone who's dug into American history, I know you gotta handle touchy subjects with care and depth.

If Pepsi had a crew with different backgrounds – like history buffs, sociologists, and cultural experts – they'd have seen the red flags a mile away. A history buff could've pointed out the historical context of protests and the rocky relationship between minorities and cops. A sociologist might've shed light on power dynamics and privilege, stuff the ad missed completely. Mixing up these perspectives could've led to a smarter, more respectful campaign.

Plus, let's talk about the decline in liberal arts majors. It's worrying because it adds to the lack of diverse viewpoints in business and marketing. Too many students feel pressured to go into business or marketing because they think liberal arts degrees won't cut it in the job market. But those degrees pack a punch, offering skills like critical thinking and cultural understanding, which are gold for crafting killer marketing campaigns. If businesses realized how valuable these degrees are, they'd be more likely to hire folks with diverse educational backgrounds, dodging blunders like the Kendall Jenner ad.

And let's not forget about SNL, throwing shade at Pepsi's misstep just days after the ad dropped. It drove home how badly the ad missed the mark and became a cultural meme for all the wrong reasons. Looking back, Pepsi's marketing squad lacked the mix of perspectives needed to tackle such a touchy subject.

Moving forward, brands need to wake up to the power of diversity, not just in who they hire but in how they approach marketing. By bringing together a range of backgrounds and experiences, they can steer clear of mishaps like the Kendall Jenner ad and create content that's inclusive, respectful, and truly speaks to people.

In the end, Pepsi's ad fiasco is a big reminder of why history matters. By learning from the past and embracing diverse perspectives, brands can avoid repeating mistakes and cook up marketing campaigns that hit the spot with their audience. Here's hoping Pepsi and other brands take this lesson to heart as they navigate the choppy waters of advertising in the 21st century.