Commotion Friday: Sponge Bob and Texican Burger King Spots

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the latest Burger King spots.  One spot uses sexually suggestive music video spoof to sell kids meals, and another has a stir by using a stereotype to offended Mexicans.  Burger King is advertising to its base in both spots.  I suspect those who are offended probably are not loyal Burger King visitors.  I can see how both spots could be offensive, but I suspect it won’t stop anyone from eating there.

The Sponge Bob spot is a spoof of the early 90’s Sir-Mix-A lot sensation that is a popular requested song at almost every wedding reception I’ve attended the last 10 years.  The target are the 30-something minivan driving parents with happy meal eating children who fondly remember that song from their more wild youth.  The spot was running during late Primetime.  The unique strategy here is that BK is targeting parents to sell more kids meals, and not kids which has been the conventional strategy up until this point.

The second spot involves a small Mexican wrestler and a weak American Cowboy who become roommates to promote BK’s new Tex-Mex style Burger. It’s been reported that some Mexicans are offended by the portrayal. I haven’t seen any Americans or Texans upset about their portrayal as a weak cowboy. I think if anyone should be offended it could be little people. Burger King took this spot off the air, but I think that just helps for it to become more of an Internet sensation.