Heinz and German Donor Kebab have pulled social media content linked to influencer Yung Filly.
- The decision follows Yung Filly’s arrest over sexual assault allegations in Australia.
- Posts about the limited edition product, ‘Secret Sauce’, have been removed from social media.
- Heinz continues to retain other campaign content such as the ‘Barbie-cue’ sauce collaboration.
- Yung Filly’s arrest has led to other brands distancing themselves from the influencer.
Content from Heinz’s ‘Secret Sauce’ and the restaurant chain German Donor Kebab’s social media campaign has been taken down. This action follows the arrest of the prominent social media influencer Yung Filly, known for his significant presence on platforms such as YouTube, where he has amassed over 18 million subscribers. The allegations leading to the arrest pertain to sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in Australia.
Posts promoting the ‘Secret Sauce’, a product rolled out last month, have been removed from the social media accounts of both Heinz and German Donor Kebab. This limited edition product was initially launched in collaboration with internet personalities including Harry Pinero and Yung Filly. Despite this withdrawal, Heinz has maintained other promotional content, like the ‘Barbie-cue’ sauce collaboration with Mattel’s Barbie, illustrating selective content removal strategies based on recent developments.
The repercussions of Yung Filly’s arrest have been swift, with multiple brands moving to disassociate from the influencer. Notably, retailer Marks & Spencer has pulled a joint campaign with the Football Association which featured Yung Filly. This campaign was anticipated to involve interviews with sports figures such as Bukayo Saka, Ezri Konsa, and Jarrod Bowen.
In conjunction with this situation, Heinz finds itself addressing separate controversies. The brand recently faced backlash concerning two of its advertisements which were criticised for perpetuating racial stereotypes. In response, Heinz has issued an apology, acknowledging the potential racial insensitivity portrayed in one advertisement depicting a fatherless black family, while a second advert, criticised for resembling minstrel-style blackface, has also been removed.
This sequence of events highlights the swift actions brands may take to manage their public image in response to controversies.
