3 diversity lessons from Ancestry’s recent ad backlash
The genealogy service issued a mea culpa following outrage over an ad that many said ‘romanticized’ slavery. Here are several takeaways to ensure you don’t face a similar crisis.
Ancestry.com’s PR team was recently sent scrambling after an ad caused offense instead of pulling on consumers’ heartstrings.
The ad depicts a white man in clothing from the 1800s holding out a ring to a black woman and beckoning her to run away with him. “Abigail, we can escape to the North,” he says. “There is a place we can be together, across the border. Will you leave with me?”
The screen fades to black. “Uncover the lost chapters of your family history with Ancestry,” a voice-over says.
ooooh my god LMAOOO who approved this ancestry commercial??? pic.twitter.com/Isy0k4HTMA
— manny (@mannyfidel) April 18, 2019
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