Brenda Khan
Diet Pepsi has had several celebrity endorsements over the years, including a 1987 commercial featuring Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady. The commercial is remembered fondly by many, with some commenting on the 80s vibe and shoulder pads. Another notable voice for Diet Pepsi is Martian Sheen, who provided the voice-over for a different advertisement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
| Voice Over | Martian Sheen |
| Actors | Michael J. Fox, Gail O'Grady |
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What You'll Learn
- Michael J. Fox starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial in 1987
- Ray Charles was the face of a Diet Pepsi campaign in the early 1990s
- The Spice Girls became spokeswomen for Pepsi in the late 1990s
- Britney Spears was a spokesperson for the brand in 2001
- In 2002, Pepsi pulled a commercial featuring rapper Ludacris after Fox News called for a boycott
Michael J. Fox starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial in 1987
In 1987, at the height of his fame, Michael J. Fox starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial. The advert features Fox diving out of his apartment window in search of a Diet Pepsi for his attractive new neighbour. The commercial also starred future NYPD Blue actress Gail O'Grady, who plays the neighbour.
The opening of the advert mimics a scene from the 1987 film The Secret of My Success, in which a character slowly opens an apartment door and finds his boss's wife standing there. In the Diet Pepsi advert, O'Grady's character arrives at Fox's apartment, and the pair share a soft drink.
The commercial is considered iconic and has been described as "cheeky" and "a great commercial". It is remembered fondly by those who were children in the 1980s, with some commenting on the shoulder pads worn by the actors and the "80s vibe".
Michael J. Fox filmed a series of Diet Pepsi commercials during this period, and the brand often celebrates its biggest stars to mark its anniversary.
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Ray Charles was the face of a Diet Pepsi campaign in the early 1990s
The early 1990s Diet Pepsi campaign featuring Ray Charles tapped into the iconic musician's broad appeal. Charles' distinctive style and soulful sound had already earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by 1986, and his influence extended across generations and genres. His involvement in the campaign reflected his enduring popularity and cultural impact.
The choice to feature Charles in the Diet Pepsi campaign was a strategic one, leveraging the singer's fame and beloved status. Known for his soulful vocals and piano skills, Charles had a long and illustrious career, with numerous awards and accolades to his name. His involvement in the campaign brought a level of prestige and recognition that likely contributed to its success and resonance with consumers.
The early 1990s were a significant period for Diet Pepsi, as it solidified its position in the market and continued to build its brand. The campaign featuring Ray Charles is a testament to the product's ability to transcend generations and cultural moments. By associating with Charles, Diet Pepsi aligned itself with a legendary musician, leveraging his fame to create a memorable and impactful advertising campaign.
While the specifics of the campaign and its impact are not widely discussed, Ray Charles' involvement in the early 1990s Diet Pepsi campaign remains a notable collaboration between a celebrated musician and a globally recognised brand. It stands as a reminder of Charles' broad appeal and the power of celebrity endorsements in shaping the success and perception of products.
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The Spice Girls became spokeswomen for Pepsi in the late 1990s
The Spice Girls became the face of Pepsi in the late 1990s, starring in an international campaign with the tagline "Generation Next". The campaign was inspired by their song "Move Over" from their album Spiceworld. The group filmed a £1 million "Generation Next" commercial, with Adrian Troy, Pepsi's UK franchise holder, commenting: \"We got them just before the crest of the wave\". The promotion ran through Capital Radio on the Pepsi Chart Show, as well as campaigns in national and regional press and teen magazines. Activities ran alongside the promotion, including competitions to win Spice Girls rucksacks, signed song sheets, and Pepsi-branded merchandise.
The Spice Girls' massive commercial success led to a boom of new girl groups in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their endorsement of Pepsi was part of a prolific marketing phenomenon that saw them become the most merchandised group in music history. They negotiated lucrative endorsement deals with numerous brands, including Asda, Cadbury, and Target, which led to accusations of overexposure and "selling out".
The Spice Girls' association with Pepsi is just one example of the brand's long history of celebrity endorsements. In the 1960s, Pepsi-Cola commercials featured singer Joanie Sommers, who performed the popular commercial songs "It's Pepsi, for Those Who Think Young" and "Now You See It, Now You Don't, Oh, Diet Pepsi". In the 1980s, Michael J. Fox starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial, and in the early 1990s, Ray Charles was the face of a Diet Pepsi campaign called "You Got the Right One, Baby". In 1998, Pepsi attempted to make Madonna their spokesperson, but the partnership ended in controversy when Madonna's "Like a Prayer" video brought charges of anti-Catholicism to the company.
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Britney Spears was a spokesperson for the brand in 2001
Pepsi has had numerous celebrity endorsements over the years, with many famous faces and voices promoting the brand. In 2001, Britney Spears became a spokesperson for the brand, and her contract included many commercials for major events, including the World Cup.
Britney Spears was a prominent figure in pop culture during the early 2000s, and her partnership with Pepsi was a notable aspect of her brand. As a spokesperson, she appeared in various advertisements for the soft drink company, leveraging her fame and recognition to promote the product. The specifics of her contract with Pepsi are not publicly known, but it is assumed that she was compensated handsomely for her role as a brand ambassador.
One of the most memorable commercials featuring Britney Spears for Pepsi was the "Gladiator" ad. This commercial was set in a Roman gladiator arena and featured a star-studded cast, including Pink, Beyoncé Knowles, Enrique Iglesias, and Amr Diab. The advertisement used the song "We Will Rock You" by Queen as its soundtrack, adding to the epic and energetic vibe of the ad. This particular commercial stands out as it brought together multiple famous musicians, each with their own fan base, creating a powerful marketing strategy.
In addition to the "Gladiator" ad, Britney Spears appeared in other Pepsi commercials during her time as a spokesperson. These ads were often tied to significant cultural moments, such as the World Cup, allowing Pepsi to associate its brand with these global events. Spears' presence in these commercials added a layer of celebrity appeal, attracting the attention of her fans and creating a sense of excitement around the product.
Britney Spears' role as a Pepsi spokesperson in 2001 left a mark on the brand's history of celebrity endorsements. Her involvement helped create memorable and impactful advertising campaigns, leveraging her stardom to promote the soft drink to a wide audience. While the specifics of the contract and the financial details are not publicly available, it is clear that her association with Pepsi during that time left a lasting impression on the brand's marketing strategies.
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In 2002, Pepsi pulled a commercial featuring rapper Ludacris after Fox News called for a boycott
Bill O'Reilly, host of the programme The O'Reilly Factor on the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News Channel, urged viewers to boycott Pepsi over its use of the rapper, calling him a man who degrades women and a negative influence on children. O'Reilly said, "I'm calling for all responsible Americans to fight back and punish Pepsi for using a man who degrades women, who encourages substance abuse, and does all the things that hurt particularly the poor in our society."
Following O'Reilly's comments, Pepsi released a statement announcing its decision to discontinue the ad campaign with Ludacris, apologising to anyone who was offended by the ad. The company said, "We have a responsibility to listen to our consumers and customers and we've heard from a number of people who were uncomfortable with our association with this artist. We've decided to discontinue our ad campaign with this artist and we're sorry that we've offended anyone."
This incident was not the first time that Pepsi had pulled a commercial due to public backlash. In 1989, the company dropped Madonna as a spokeswoman after her "Like a Prayer" video struck some viewers as offensive.
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Frequently asked questions
The voice of Diet Pepsi in the 1987 commercial was Michael J. Fox.
The commercial also featured actress Gail O'Grady, who went on to star in NYPD Blue.
Joanie Sommers, often referred to as "The Pepsi Girl", sang two popular commercial songs for Diet Pepsi in the 1960s.
Ray Charles was the star of a Diet Pepsi campaign in the early 1990s. In the late 1990s, the Spice Girls became the face of Pepsi, and in 2001, Britney Spears became a spokesperson.
