Marketing executives at Benna have expressed their relief at their decision to cut a scene involving the date rape drug Rohypnol out of their controversial milkshake ad.
The ad for Benna’s limited edition Red Velvet Milkshake has attracted criticism for its apparent sexist overtones. In the video, an office worker leers at a seemingly uninterested female colleague sitting across from him. He drinks a glass of milkshake, which causes him to start having fantasies about her.
Benna marketing manager Steven Caruana explained that the ad initially had an alternate ending.
“The original video continued beyond the version we eventually released. After the man’s fantasy ends, he slips a roofie into the glass of milkshake. He then walks over to his colleague, telling her she just has to try this tasty new Benna milkshake. She accepts, takes a big gulp and exclaims that it might just be the best damn milkshake she’s ever had. She then passes out and he carries her out of the office over his shoulder, high-fiving his male colleagues as he goes.
Caruana said the company did not ending up using that version because it was too long.
“Given the amount of outrage the ad has caused, thank God for that. Some people might have thought the whole ‘woman getting drugged’ thing had sexist connotations. Honestly, these snowflakes find any excuse to be offended,” he said.
Meanwhile, several people who tried the milkshake itself have been admitted to Mater Dei hospital after suffering from instant diabetes.
