Pepsi’s Acting Class
Pepsi ran two Super Bowl commercials with Steve Martin and Ben Stiller. The powerful drinks brand showed remarkable self-awareness by having the two superstars question the nature of endorsements. In the video below, Martin drinks a can of Pepsi and appears to enjoy it but then says that he is acting (via Adweek).
On the one hand, it’s a smart tactic because it encourages people to find the truth for themselves. They think they’re making an informed decision by buying the drink and deciding if they like it or not. But they’re still putting dollars in Pepsi’s massive coffers. It’s better to listen to the truth of the ad and to avoid celebrity influences.