The King’s hijinks might’ve finally caught up with him as two mental health groups are none too pleased with this recent BK ad (promoting the $3.99 Steakhouse burger) where the brand’s mischievous mascot gets chased and tackled by two white-wearing orderlies. Some might say they’re overreacting but folks like Michael Fitzpatrick, executive director for Arlington, VA’s National Alliance on Mental Illness, tells the Washington Post that said spot is “blatantly offensive”, adding, “I was stunned. Absolutely stunned and appalled.”
In response, a BK spokesperson says to the WP: “The creative concepts used to bring this to life were meant to highlight the King’s unchecked enthusiasm about giving his guests a Steakhouse-quality sandwich at a great price and were not intended to reflect any group or situation.”
It seems though that the mental health groups’ outrage is all for naught because according to Consumerist, the ad is getting pulled out of rotation this week anyways. Maybe now the King can join fellow maligned mascot Ronald McDonald in the retirement home.