The coffee titan Starbucks finds itself in the eye of a tumultuous controversy in India as diverse voices clash head-on, debating the nature of the message the company tried to pass through its latest advertisement. The ad, intended to promote a message of acceptance, faced significant backlash with the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks swiftly gaining traction on Twitter. In the ad, a transgender woman reunites with her long-lost father in a vibrant and bustling Starbucks outlet.
The advertisement shows the story of a woman named Arpit, now identifying as Arpita. Her father then proceeds to the café counter to order their coffee. Arpita is pleasantly surprised when the Starbucks barista announces, "Three cold coffees for Arpita."
This heartfelt moment reveals her father's acceptance as he chooses "Arpita" as the name to be written on the coffee cup.
While many supported the ad and called it inspiring and refreshing, some were protesting the advertisement saying Starbucks is trying to bring woke culture to India. Some said the company better focus on its business.
Starbucks is not the first brand in India to face backlash for an advertisement. In 2020, the famous jewelry brand Tanishq encountered significant trolling. In 2021, ethnic wear brand FabIndia faced calls for a boycott. #Queer Up Business