Pepsi pulls surf ad and pledges relief funds

FOOTBALL’S magnificent seven and soft drinks company Pepsi have combined to score an own goal.

The company has delayed the launch of a new TV advert following the tsunami disaster in Asia.

The commercial features a host of footballing stars, including England captain David Beckham, on surfboards.

The adverts were due to appear on TV around the world, including Asia.

A spokesperson for PepsiCo said: “In light of the recent tragedy in Asia, we at PepsiCo International have taken the decision to put our 2005 surf-themed football campaign on hold for the foreseeable future.”

The adverts also featured Arsenal striker Thierry Henry along with Real Madrid’s Roberto Carlos, World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres.

An event to launch the new campaign on January 17 has also been cancelled.

The company has announced that it plans to donate $1 million towards tsunami relief and recovery efforts. The company is also donating bottled water sold under the Aquafina name and other PepsiCo products.

It’s not the first time Beckham has been involved in a major marketing campaign that’s gone wrong.

The England captain upset Brylcreem, the hair-gel makers, when he shaved off his hair while under contract to them in 2000.