Soft drink giant Coca-Cola has been forced to remove ads in Qatar
for its energy drink ‘Burn’ and issue an apology after a backlash
against “insensitive” billboards promoting the product were placed
around the car park of the Villagio mall,
the site of a major fire last year which killed 19 people.
The billboards, which contained the words “burn on” and a picture of the
energy drink can with a flame logo, were condemned by many, including
Martin Weekes,
the father of two-year-old triplets, who were among the 13 children that died. "It's almost beyond belief, it's disgusting really," he said.
"I just don't understand how people could be either so insensitive or tasteless over something like that."
“We no longer live in Doha as the memories are too painful however I was
contacted by a friend with a photo of an ad campaign for your energy
drink Burn being promoted outside the mall where the fire occurred.
Please remove this as it is totally insensitive,” Weekes said in a
message posted on Coca-Cola’s Facebook page. Coca-Cola have now apologized for the billboard adverts and has now ordered them to be
removed. “We can confirm that we are removing the campaign branding
around the Villaggio Mall
and apologize for any concern that was created by its placement.
“This panel in the neighboring area of the mall was part of a network
of outdoor [billboards] and was not meant to be in this location
specifically where the tragedy happened,” Regional group director for
Coco-Cola, Dana Bolden, said. “We will ensure we have a more thorough
review process in place going forward. We like to thank those who
contacted us to make us aware of this issue and will always work with
our consumers to ensure we live up to their expectations,” he added.
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