Pepsi apologizes for girl-getting iPhone app

AFP October 14, 2009, 3:39 am

If you are unable to view this video, you may need to install the latest Flash plug-in, available free here.

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - US soft drink giant PepsiCo has apologized for a free iPhone application crafted to help men seduce women and keep records of conquests but the program remained available on Tuesday.

Pepsi's "AMP Up Before You Score" iPhone application categorizes women into 24 types and then uses the Apple smartphone's Internet capabilities to link users to information about them and what they like.

Did Pepsi need to apologise? Leave your comments below.

Vote: Are people too politically correct?

AMP is an energy drink made by PepsiCo.

"Let's say you meet a girl who is way into being green and you need a vegan restaurant stat; we've got you covered," a voice-over maintained on Tuesday in an online Pepsi video about the AMP at YouTube.

"If you are anticipating a successful night, the Before You Score app gives you up to the minute information, feeds, lines and much more to help you amp up and talk to 24 different types of ladies."

Types of women listed in the application include punk rocker, bookworm, aspiring actress, artist, and sorority girl.

A "Keep a List" feature in the program reportedly prompts users to add women's names and encounter details to a "brag list" if they "get lucky."

People offended by the application shared their ire with PepsiCo, which fired off an apology on popular microblogging service Twitter.

"Our app tried 2 show the humorous lengths guys go2 get women," the message read in shorthand typical of 'tweets" which are capped at 140 characters.

"We apologize if it's in bad taste and appreciate ur feedback."

The AMP app remained available at the App Store, according to a check Tuesday by AFP.

Online commentary ranged from amused to outrage.

"It's just Pepsi trying to lighten things up in the world," a person maintained in a chat forum accompanying the AMP video at YouTube.

"Whether this is a joke or not... this is not cool," countered another member of the online exchange.

Show:

Newest First

Oldest First

1 - 20 of 45

First Page | < Previous | Next > | Last Page

45 Comments

Post your comment

mattnbren 03:22am Thursday 15th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Pepsi is objectifying women! How is that funny!!!!!??? Women have gotten so far in the last 50 years, and for a major global company to put out this crap is absurd!! I don't think you *men* understand because you've never been objectified before....grow up!
nicholas 12:27am Thursday 15th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
so why is it such a big deal for everyone on this device? if anything it helps us men get closer to women in ways we wouldnt normally by the usual standards, whether its a humourous ploy to make us think we can get any gal anywhere or not who knows. i just think women who whinge and complain about this amp up thingy just dont like the fact that we can be able to get closer to them and actually have our way this time. women always play the prick tease for so long that its actually a turn off for us. i say if this device gets us to that goal of scoring with a certain chick then great. women just have to get over themselves, theyre not as unattainable as they make us think they are. fk em.
Midori 09:23pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
You know what is funny? In letting me and my boyfriend know about this app and the fact that people are condemming it means we are both getting it. Not for anything serious. Just for laughs. Thanks people for letting us know about something funny. hehehe
Qui 08:30pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Surely this is just too tacky. Honestly would you like your daughters (as well as your sons) having a brag list application in their mobile phones. Leaves the gates further open to promote even more cyber bullying.
Peter 05:44pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Some - not all - men brag about their sexual partners. Basically this app is mostly harmless except that I think the "brag list" feature is going a bit too far. Given that this app has internet connection who's to say that information isn't flowing both ways and that names and bragging info aren't going into some list online somewhere? It's surprising though that Apple hasn't removed the app from the store. They've removed much less controversial things, mostly I think things that compete with stuff they are pushing.
Sarah 05:02pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
I think this is utterley discusting how can such a big name make such a mockery of women the men in this world today r bad enough don't you think! Men brag enough of who they have scored with,they have big enough ego's already, get your act together pepsi. Wat msg do you think your sendin to the younger generation.
Jon 04:53pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
women just dont like to beaten at their own game - using their sexuality to entrap men
Ed 03:58pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
treating women as objects is politically correct
Kat V 03:26pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
I see how they were trying to make it funny but it's simply labeling people and putting them into stereotyped categories. It's just plain old stupid. I think the idea is kind of good, what with the device giving advice on vegan restaurants and such, but a brag list? That's just tacky and insulting.
Pan Psuchopompos 03:20pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Yes Yes Yes, there are going to be a lot of Penis envied out there for sure thanks to Pepsi.
Michaela 03:03pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
I´m not offended by midget throwing if the midgets want to do it but I think it´s a bit dodgy when somthething like this is produced by a big multinational - reinforcing for some young studs that women are just lurable bait and this is a useful tool (no pun intended) for the purpose.
whotsit 03:03pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Fiona, agree with the sentiment but you've misquoted - the expression you're referring to is "whingeing ABOUT THE Poms", something the Aussies are very good at :-)
Anikye 03:00pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Yes, people are too politically correct nowdays, however, this is just off. Show how off you think it is - BOYCOTT PEPSI !!!!!
Sleevey 02:23pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Amp before you score? Classy. You don't need to be politically correct to see through to the 14 year old male that was aimed at. I can see them all typing imaginary names into their 'brag lists' when all it should really say is 'my right hand, my left hand.....'
valid 02:06pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
ahh who need's pepsi ladies you can contact me on........ for all your pleasure needs
CC 01:47pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Men need all the help they can get to score a woman - bless their soles - poor lil buggers. Pepsi and the online App stores need some processes in place to screen who is recieving any of the applications they offer.
Fiona 01:26pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
I hope all this political correctness stuff that's going on now is just a passing fad. Lately people have been getting insulted by such minor things. First the Hey Hey skit, then dwarf racing and now this. It seems people are growing in to a bunch of whingers. Lets all become poms, since they are well known for that.
Laurien 01:22pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
LOL. that is hilarious. Honestly, why be offended? unless you're the skank who ended up on someones list. hahaha.
Cosmic 12:48pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
Get a grip. We don't live in a perfect world. Men and women are not the same. And of course a lot of young men, and a few older ones, view women as sex objects. Perhaps a lot of young men like to drink Pepsi so they added this app. I really don't think it can be taken as a serious app, just something for a few minutes of a laugh. Pepsi using David Beckham sexualises men, trying to use a good looking guy to sell to women. There is no right or wrong answer, just a matter of opinion. As long as no one gets hurt or it doesn't promote that type of behaviour, that is the main thing.
lady_luck_08 12:43pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 WST Report Abuse
I think is degrading to both the sexes...