After apologizing for an iPad ad earlier this year, weak-kneed Apple has apologized, and pulled, another advertisement, “The Underdogs: OOO (Out of Office),” which was set in Thailand. The ad was pulled after a backlash from “influencers” and lawmakers alongside hysterical calls for an Apple boycott over the 10-minute short film’s portrayal of the country that they deemed “offensive.”
See also: Peak Tim Cook: Apple ridiculously apologizes over iPad Pro ‘Crush’ ad – May 9, 2024
Here’s “The Underdogs: OOO (Out of Office)” via Vimeo:
Patpicha Tanakasempipat for Bloomberg News:
The 10-minute Apple film titled “The Underdogs: OOO (Out Of Office),” the fifth installment in the comedic series that follows a group of co-workers as they navigate workplace assignments and solve issues with Apple products and features, was online for about two weeks. It was set in Bangkok and Rayong, with the co-workers traveling to Thailand on a low-budget quest to find a new packaging factory.
As part of their adventure, the protagonists were seen riding in an iconic Thai tuk-tuk, engaging with quirky locals, and staying in a dilapidated hotel in Bangkok. Social media influencers and internet users, however, said the country was grossly misrepresented as underdeveloped and outdated. Apple said it meant no offense and had collaborated with a local production company on the commercial.
The commercial also sparked concerns among lawmakers in the tourism committee of the House of Representatives, which had planned to invite representatives from Apple and state agencies for a discussion on the matter, according to panel spokesman Sattra Sripan.
“Thai people are deeply unhappy with the advertisement,” Sattra said in a statement on Thursday. “I encourage Thai people to stop using Apple products and change to other brands.”
“Our intent was to celebrate the country’s optimism and culture, and we apologize for not fully capturing the vibrancy of Thailand today,” the company said in a statement on Friday. “The film is no longer being aired.”
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
MacDailyNews Take: Can we please get a CEO with a sack?
Offended? Good. Marinate in it. Do us all a huge favor and hold your breath while waiting for our apology.
Clearly, the west’s abhorrent culture of victimhood has been exported intact to Thailand. it seems that concentrating on bullshit allows the vapid to avoid having to deal with actual problems, much less formulate real solutions to them.
Tim Cook’s Apple has a proven propensity to cowardly capitulate to any wheel that happens to squeak. Best not make any videos, lest you offend a handful of random assholes with TikTok accounts, right Apple?
“If you’re not offending somebody somewhere, then your show is probably just very bland and boring.” – Mike Scully
“Just because you’re offended, it doesn’t mean you’re right!” – Ricky Gervais
Please help support MacDailyNews. Click or tap here to support our independent tech blog. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
