WikimediaBritish supermarket Morrisons is facing a massive backlash online after a casting agency placed a highly offensive advert on its behalf.
The company responsible for hiring extras for an upcoming commercial stated the chain wanted working class people, but no one from Liverpool, and nobody who resembles the cast of Channel 4’s Benefits Street.
As reported by ITV Casting Networks’ advert said:
They should be proper working class people but not at all like the characters from Benefit Street.
And nobody from Liverpool please.
.@Morrisons advert casting looking for working class people – but don't want ANYONE from Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/wa8Hrr0Yil
— shxkes (@shxkes) March 25, 2016
The supermarket was quick to distance itself from the wording of the advert:
@Antiwanabee 1/2 We are angry and we apologise that a third party has published a statement using our name without our knowledge. – Charly
— Morrisons (@Morrisons) March 26, 2016
@saclfc appeared on a third-party casting website. We want to use people from across the UK in our advertising. (2/2) – Jay
— Morrisons (@Morrisons) March 25, 2016
Sadly it was all too late as far as social media was concerned…
Seems that peoplr from Liverpool are not welcome @Morrisons – https://t.co/KRzmHoOnPd pic.twitter.com/piv9iay3Ki
— DEA (@deakhoon) March 26, 2016
@Morrisons want "proper working class people" for their advert just nobody from Liverpool. @asda here I come! pic.twitter.com/fAaT1SG7HZ
— Danielle Brennan (@DanielleBrenzie) March 25, 2016
So who out of @Morrisons and @CNI_UK is actually taking responsibility for the anti-Liverpool prejudice in that advert?
— James Noakes (@jimnoakes) March 25, 2016
Hey @Morrisons I've got some great facial expressions but a soft, some might say SHEXYY Liverpool accent. Why can't I be in your adverrrss?!
— Jonathan Harvey (@JOJEHARVEY) March 25, 2016
Absolutely appalling from @Morrisons "nobody from Liverpool" happy to take our money though. #boycott pic.twitter.com/azaC7BnDZP
— Marie McDavid (@MarieMcDavid) March 25, 2016
With no justification for the discrimination, the outrage is easy to understand.
@GerardWoodhous1 @Im_Cheaper_ @Morrisons that's no shopping and £60 worth of fuel a week your not getting – Love Liverpool
— Andy Dixon (@andymcdixon) March 27, 2016
So @Morrisons don't want anyone from Liverpool in their next advert… Wow oh wow… ?????
— DYLAN EVANS (@MrDylanEvans) March 25, 2016
@Morrisons Apology blaming an agency is not good enough.They should immediately be sacked for discrimination.Liverpool awaits your response?
— Joe Anderson (@joeforliverpool) March 25, 2016
@Morrisons How disgraceful you discriminate against Liverpool people !!never again will our family spend another penny at morrisions !!!!!
— Rob Davidson (@CRobd200) March 25, 2016
Some people were willing to overlook the slight – with a few conditions…
Hi @Morrisons. The people of Liverpool will forgive and forget this mishap on the condition you cast me in said ad with a £15k buyout. Xx
— Adam McCoy (@AdamJamesMcCoy) March 25, 2016
Hard to see how the supermarket can make this one right.
