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CNN Live Saturday

Radio Host Disagrees With Pepsi's Decision to Drop Rapper as Spokesman

Aired August 31, 2002 - 18:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: There is another cola controversy for Pepsi. The company bowed to public pressure, including some from a conservative commentator and dropped rapper Ludacris as a pitch man. But the trouble isn't fizzling out, as CNN's Jason Bellini found out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK SKI, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: We cannot allow conservative white America to dictate or regulate policy within the urban community.

Good morning to you.

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over); Morning talk show host in Atlanta's V103, a station catering to an audience of mostly black urban hip-hop fans asks his listeners to take a stand, a stand in a heated controversy involving race, power, and soda pop.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Telephone number I want you to call to voice your opinion to the executives over at Pepsi. (914) 253...

BELLINI: It all started when Pepsi hired rap musician, Ludacris to star in a series of ads aimed at minorities. The Ludacris ad, along with Ludacris' lyrics, in songs not in the commercial came to the attention of conservative television talk show host, Bill O'Reilly, who blasted Pepsi.

"I'm calling for all responsible Americans to fight back and punish Pepsi for using a man who degrades women, who encourages substance abuse, and does all the things that hurt particularly the poor in our society."

Irate calls came in to Pepsi. The next day, Pepsi decided to pull the ads.

SKI: If Pepsi was going to make a move, as it related to the urban community, and it was a multicultural urban ad, then they should have come first to the urban community to hear what we had to say about it before the change. Not from somebody like Bill O'Reilly, who's only doing it just to make controversy and to get ratings.

BELLINI: Pepsi issued a written statement. In it, they said, "we have a responsibility to our consumers and customers. And we've heard from a number of people that were uncomfortable with our association with this artist." UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is totally ridiculous.

BELLINI: Frank Ski's listeners say it's a double standard. Some pointing to Britney Spears, another Pepsi's celebrity endorser. Here she is at Thursday night's MTVs music video awards.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got Britney Spears on the show. And everything else in (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Ain't nobody say anything about her.

BELLINI: One caller pointed to Ludacris' controversial lyrics and said, "It's time to let this one go."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We also need to take a look at ourselves and the images that we portray to other people.

BELLINI: For Frank Ski, an outspoken voice in Atlanta's black community, the issue isn't so much about lyrics as it is about who companies like Pepsi are listening to.

SKI: Now if Pepsi doesn't address it, then we will go to the next step.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Uh-oh.

SKI: Whatever that may be at this time. But I think Pepsi and I think the urban community deserves enough respect to be heard and to be addressed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: See what controversy gets you?

BELLINI: It's respect, more than one particular ad, that Frank Ski hopes from fizzling away.

Jason Bellini, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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