Skinny Obsession

Diet Pepsi has recently introduced their new “Diet Pepsi Skinny”, which is a new look for the same drink, the difference being in the size of the can. Unlike previous cans, this new “Skinny” is taller and thinner, which has automatically caused controversy amongst consumers. Many consumers believe that this new can promotes the image of thin women, while the company as well as other consumers argue that the can is simply a new way to fashion the drink. Jill Beraud, the Chief Marketing Office in PepsiCo. states the “slim, attractive new can is the perfect complement to today's most stylish looks… it is a taller, sassier" version of the traditional can that … was made in celebration of beautiful, confident women.” (Beraud). On the flip side, the National Eating Disorders Association has taken offense to the can, arguing that it presents the wrong image to contemporary women, forcing them to believe that “skinny is sexy”.

I can certainly agree with both sides of the arguments. I understand how the new “Skinny” can be viewed as offensive since it does use the word skinny, a typically negative connoted word, in its description. However, I also think that perhaps the National Eating Disorders Association is taking offense more than it should; when it comes down to the basics, it is, after all, a can. There are other controversies in fashion and media that should take precedence over a soda can.

Although I do believe that PepsiCo was not necessarily in the wrong for creating this can, I do believe that they should have named it differently. As I previously stated, the word “skinny” usually has negative, unhealthy connotations; for the most part, society prefers words such as “slim” or “sleek”. In addition, the Skinny Can was created to be a fashionable looking can, rather than to suggest a certain diet (as the soda within the can has not changed). Perhaps the company should have named the can “Sleek Can” in order to avoid such negative criticism while maintaining their initial goal of fashion through aluminum.