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Hershey Shuts Down Adverts Filled With Hugs & Handshakes Due To COVID-19 Unease
By Thanussha Priyah, 19 Mar 2020
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Image via AlenKadr / Shutterstock.com
Hershey has ceased two of its spots featuring human-to-human contact in light of the novel coronavirus spread. They are now being replaced by product-centric adverts with graphics, voice-overs and the chocolate bars under the spotlight.
The ill-timed commercials included Bob Williams and Diggy Moreland giving out chocolate treats to strangers along with hugs and handshakes.
Both the initial adverts and the product-focused videos were produced by advertising agency Mcgarrybowen.
“Sadly, we have decided to temporarily replace two of our ads that feature human interaction, that include hugging and handshakes, due to the current sensitivities surrounding the COVID-19 virus,” Hershey Co. Chief Marketing Officer Jill Baskin told Ad Age.
The revised commercials can be viewed below.
[via Ad Age, cover image via AlenKadr / Shutterstock.com]
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