Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, has received backlash over the past week due to the brand’s latest campaign during the Super Bowl weekend. Fans took to the internet to bash the soda brand for their insensitivity to people in need. So what exactly did Poppi do?
Vending Machine Scandal
As part of a marketing stunt, Poppi delivered over 30 full-sized Poppi vending machines to influencers for use over the Super Bowl weekend. In return, these influencers uploaded themselves stocking the vending machines with dozens of Poppi drinks gifted to them.
Some of the influencers included Jake Shane, Kaeli Mae, Rachel Sullivan, Avery Woods and more – they have millions of followers combined. The vending machines were given as a temporary gift to use over the weekend for Super Bowl parties and to share with their friends and family.
Fans online who watched these already fortunate influencers receive free vending machines stocked with Poppi felt that the company could have given these vending machines to people in need.
Users online also pointed out that Poppi isn’t very cheap for a soda, with one can costing a little over $2. Some argued that other people could have had the opportunity to try Poppi for free if the vending machines were given to college campuses, hospitals, shelters etc.
Olipop’s Involvement
Olipop, also a prebiotic soda brand and a direct competitor to Poppi, has used the hate directed at Poppi to boost its own brand. Olipop has commented on several TikToks about the Poppi scandal, alluding to the fact that they would have never had a scandal like this.
Olipop continued to stir the pot by claiming Poppi’s vending machines cost around $25,000 each. Poppi has since shut down this rumor, stating that $25,000 was an over-exaggeration.
Poppi’s scandal has seemed to have benefited Olipop since fans are now posting themselves boycotting Poppi and switching over to Olipop drinks.
Poppi’s Response
On Feb. 11, Allison Ellsworth, the owner and co-founder of Poppi, posted a video on TikTok addressing the vending machine scandal and the purpose of the campaign. Ellsworth explained the campaign was to support Super Bowl parties as the Super Bowl is the “biggest soda event of the year.”
Ellsworth also said in her video that Poppi listens to their fans and wants to know where fans want Poppi to show up next to give back to the community.
“At the end of the day, we are a brand just trying to revolutionize soda for the next generation and bring joy to you guys through Poppi”
– said Ellsworth via TikTok.
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