NEW YORK (AP) – Online coupon site Groupon Inc.’s first foray into Super Bowl advertising aimed for humor but is instead receiving widespread criticism across the Web and irked human rights groups.
One ad shows Timothy Hutton making a case for the Tibetan people, but then reveals he is actually talking about a deal for Tibetan fish curry that Groupon offered. Two similar ads featured Cuba Gooding Jr. and Elizabeth Hurley.
The ads ran during the biggest night in advertising, when spots go for $3 million for 30 seconds. It sparked widespread negative reaction on Twitter and Facebook.
Groupon, based in Chicago, had no immediate response. On Twitter, it directed people to savethemoney.org to donate to a Tibetan charity, which it has previously promoted.
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