MEXICO CITY — Circle K Mexico is apologizing for an ad on “Secretary Day” promoting a deal on chocolate, red wine and condoms.
The convenience store brand said in a Wednesday statement that it did not intend to “promote any stereotype” and highlighted its “promise to be a business that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of gender.”
The since-deleted ad was published Monday on Circle K Mexico’s Twitter account. It depicts a cartoon image of a secretary’s legs next to the phrase “If you know what I mean” in English and a wink emoji. One combo deal included wine, condoms and a Milky Way for 199 Mexican pesos (about $10).
Ayer vimos una vez más una publicidad sexista que horas después fue retirada gracias a la fuerza de una ciudadanía que ya no deja pasar estas cosas. Reconozco a @CircleKMexico por la medida, pero hay dos elementos de este caso particular que me llevan a una reflexión:#Hilo pic.twitter.com/1BLU4xPg5u
— Patricia Mercado (@Pat_MercadoC) July 16, 2019
Mexican Sen. Patricia Mercado tweeted that it was a “sexist ad.”
Holidays that celebrate various professions are common in Latin America, particularly Mexico
