If you’ve been watching a particular reality TV show at 9pm every night for the past seven weeks, the chances are you’ll have seen KFC’s latest advert.
And many people are not happy about it.
‘The Whole Chicken’ features some sassy white hens strutting around a warehouse to X Gon’ Give It To Ya by DMX, with the aim of underlining that KFC products are 100 per cent chicken.
It’s also the first advert from KFC after it switched advertising agency from BBH to Mother, .
Upon launching the advert, Meg Farren, chief marketing officer of KFC, said: “At KFC we’re proud of our chicken, we’re not afraid to show it.
“‘The Whole Chicken’ represents a step change for us, taking a bolder stance when it comes to engaging with our loyal customers and fans.”
But the advert has provoked outrage and has been condemned as “disgusting.”
Elisa Allen, PETA Director, told The Independent: “Did KFC get the idea for its new ad from PETA’s ‘I’m Me, Not Meat’ chicken ad?
“It certainly looks as if we designed it, because it challenges anyone thinking of eating chickens to look these smart, sociable, sensitive, and beautiful birds in the eye and recognise that they’re individuals, not body parts to be battered as nuggets.
“If it were up to PETA, the ad would also show that chickens can count up to at least five, are capable of self-reflection, and are protective parents – and that before they go into the bucket or bag they’re forced to spend their miserable lives crammed into sheds with tens of thousands of other birds, unable to escape their own waste while the ammonia burns their legs and lungs.”
Many people have been left confused by the advert, claiming that using cute chickens makes you feel for the animals and certainly not want to eat them.
Sorry but if the new KFC advert makes you wanna eat chicken ur a psychopath
— Shay Williams (@shaywlms)
I know it’s hypocritical but I hate the new advert reminding me it’s real chickens I’m eating.
— Benjamin L (@BenjaminL1nd)
The KFC advert is such a misfire IMO – showing a chicken doesn’t make me want to eat meat, it makes me want to do the exact opposite.
— Charlotte (@CharlotteLCann)
And others claim the advert is in such bad taste that it should be banned.
Not a vegetarian but I don’t eat much meat, I am APPALLED at that advert. It’s no light hearted joke that. Get it BANNED 😠😠😠
— Alice Elsey (@alicee_LC)
Dear your new advert is disgusting. Who on Earth thought that was a good idea?
— Rachel Slade (@rachelslade)
I know I’m a big wet veggie but that KFC advert made me feel sad and uncomfortable.
— Agnes (@ThatAgnes)
Some, however, have reacted positively and like the idea of a sassy chicken.
How great is the new KFC advert though
— Jade Shannon (@JadeShannon99)
How can I stay vegan when this damn KFC advert is so catchy 😰😰
— Hev 🚮 (@issahev)
whoever came up with the new advert is genius
— Shana (@_ZombieMermaid)
Controversial as the advert is, there’s no denying it’s got people talking about KFC chicken.
A KFC spokesperson told The Independent: “Our fans know that when they eat with us it’s all about the chicken, the whole chicken and nothing but the chicken, so seeing one in our ad shouldn’t come as a surprise!
“We’re proud of our chicken, freshly prepared in our restaurants and sourced from Red Tractor Assured farms, and we’re not afraid to show it.”
