This is an actual Pepsi ad. The company is currently deciding whether to pull it, though it has already apologized for the ad.

That blue bean-type creature is supposed to be a "calorie". And as you can see in the image, it says, "One very very very lonely calorie". That explains why it has shot itself with a noose around its neck and a container of poison on the other hand.

I like this ad. I absolutely love the artwork. But I do understand why it would be problematic. The controversy will probably do well for the product, though. What I would do is, rework the ad, minus the suicide theme, and do a worldwide public apology for the old ad. That would create an interest in the product, and at the same time, cut costs on doing a full blown worldwide-scale advertising campaign.

So it got me thinking, that's probably a good strategy. Make a controversial ad, pull it out of circulation, rework it, then do a public apology.

Maybe I should patent that marketing strategy...