In his controversial interview on an Italian radio program earlier this week, president of pasta company Barilla said that the company would never use the image of a family headed by gay or lesbian parents in one of its ads. Why? “[W]e like the traditional family,” Barilla said. He invited customers to buy a different pasta brand if they disagree. “Challenge accepted,” said Bertolli, a worldwide brand owned by Unilever. Except in Italian. [More]
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Bertolli Takes Advantage Of Barilla’s PR Problems, Says Their Pasta Is For Everyone
By Laura Northrup 9.27.13
Barilla President Says Ads Will Never Feature Gay Families, Gay People Switch Pasta Brands
By Laura Northrup 9.26.13 — Updated: 9.27.13
Barilla is the world’s largest manufacturer of delicious boxed pasta. Their marketing features a cuddly family eating delicious pasta, associating pasta with “home.” Not all homes, though. In a radio interview, company president Guido Barilla said that the brand would never put out an ad featuring a family headed by a homosexual couple. Gay rights supporters have concluded that Barilla doesn’t want their business, and called for a boycott. [More]