Pizza Hut Trolled South African Supermarket Woolworths Over a Problematic Valentine's Day Promo
While everyone in America lusts after chocolates and heart-eyes emoji, there was a South African Valentines' Day feud budding that we didn't know we needed. I am, however, happy to amplify it if that means more people get familiar with my two loves: pizza and dismantling the tired gender stereotypes that hinder the growth of humanity.
Pizza Hut of South Africa has co-opted a Valentine's Day ad from supermarket chain Woolworths for a bit of a joke of their own. The original Woolworths ad that confusingly ends with "#LoveAlwaysWins" promotes all kinds of gender stereotypes. To give you a quick rundown, the ad essentially just lists off "things all women do"-you know, like ordering salads and making you late.
“She orders a salad then steals your chips; she takes forever to get ready; she snuggles you to the edge of your bed; she uses your razor to shave her legs; she makes you her Instagram husband; she says she’s ‘fine’ when you know she’s not.”
In response, Pizza Hut took a stab at the same type of ad, mimicking the same font and design, but instead of going all gender-stereotype heavy, they spoke some real truths:
Sometimes he orders the pizza, sometimes she orders the pizza, they like different toppings, they order different toppings, they choose different bases, they always get it delivered, pizza is their favorite, pizza is for everyone, the end. Pizza is for everyone. #LoveAlwaysWins
. @pizzahut South Africa trolling @WOOLWORTHS_SA. 🤣 #LoveAlwaysWins #ValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/EPiJzbp6ml
- Leigh Newlands (@leigh_land) February 14, 2019
Go off, Pizza Hut. The social media response to Pizza Hut's clap back has been overwhelmingly positive. To be fair, Woolworths also has a version about guys, but it's also pretty tone-deaf. Ultimately, Pizza Hut wins this battle, and to be frank, I haven't been this jazzed about Pizza Hut since it brought back stuffed crust.
Since it's Valentine's Day, let me see if I can wrap this all up into a poem.
Roses are red,
Pizza is great,
Woolworth's dumb ad,
Only works if you're straight
Wow, that felt really organic. Let's try it again.
Roses are red,
I've got pizza in hand,
Instead of being productive,
Perhaps work on your brand
I'm going to quit while I'm ahead, but if you're with the one you love tonight and you're looking for a special way to celebrate, consider calling in a pizza. From Pizza Hut or Dominos or even if your local pizzeria because nothing says "I love you, without the parameters of gender norms" like pizza.
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