Another Burger Blunder: “The taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican"

A few years ago, during a Soccer World Cup promotion launched in Spain and England, McDonalds printed the flags of all participating countries on it’s throw-away food packaging… without first checking flag protocol for each nation. The Saudi Arabia flag, which includes holy words from the Qur'an, can’t be used for commercial purposes, and much less be thrown away in the trash. In response to protests from Saudi Arabia and Muslim community leaders, McDonalds promptly withdrew the campaign.

THIS WEEK, Burger King advertised their “Texican Whopper” (in Spain and England!) by showing a little wrestler wearing a cape that resembled the Mexican flag. To illustrate the blend of flavors in the Texican Whopper, the little chap was standing next to a tall American cowboy… The voiceover included, “The taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican" … The campaign prompted the Mexican press and government to protest. The Mexican ambassador in Madrid declared the campaign offensive and as “improperly using the Mexican flag.”

Initially Burger King defended the campaign, claiming that the campaign met legal requirements in Spain and England. Unbelievable… have they ever heard of globalization? Or globalisation? Later they agreed to revise the campaign.

Good thing that I don’t feel like having a burger right now … Yo quiero Taco Bell.