Rock Head PR Move: Insult King

Minnesota-based Pillsbury’s management of Burger King during the 1970s and 1980s was criticized for having unfocused marketing and losing market share.  But at least Pillsbury never insulted customers, employees and shareholders.

Bernardo Hees, the new chief executive officer of Burger King, did just that while speaking to students at the University of Chicago.

While reminiscing about his time as an MBA student at Warwick University in Britain, Hees said, “The food is terrible and the women are not very attractive.”

Hees has since apologized for the comment, saying “it was intended as a humorous anecdote to connect with his audience.”  Nevertheless the damage has already been done.

Read more here.