Pepsi apologizes for 'bad taste' iPhone app

Soft drink giant PepsiCo is apologizing for a branded iPhone application touting its Amp Energy drink after consumers complained the app is insensitive to women. The free AMP UP Before You Score is touted in the App Store as a "road map to success for your favorite kinds of women--24 in all," identifying women according to types including "Women's Studies Major," "Cougar," "Trouble" and "Out-of-Your-League Girl." The app offers a pick-up "cheatsheet" including "surefire opening lines," and encourages users to brag about their conquests via email, Facebook or Twitter. Of 384 current App Store ratings, 185 award AMP UP Before You Score one star--"sexist and stupid" reads one user review, and another calls it "a great new case study for branded apps gone wrong."

Now Pepsi is turning to its Amp Energy Twitter account to apologize for the application. "Our app tried 2 show the humorous lengths guys go 2 pick up women," the tweet reads. "We apologize if it's in bad taste & appreciate your feedback." The post was also retweeted to Pepsi's official Twitter feed. As of this morning, AMP UP Before You Score remains available for download from the App Store.

For more on the Pepsi apology:
- read this CNet.com article

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