Pepsi Fails to Score With iPhone App

LOS ANGELES — "Sex sells," or so most marketers claim, but Pepsi is discovering the hard way just how costly those sales can be, after its release of a controversial iPhone app.

Critics are calling AMP UP Before You Score "sexist," "insensitive" and "demeaning to women," for its portrayal of women, categorized by type, including "Cougar," "Out-of-Your-League Girl," "Trouble," and "Women's Studies Major."

Promoted as a "road map to success for your favorite kinds of women — 24 in all," the AMP app provides "surefire opening lines" for picking up women and reportedly encourages its users to boast about their results on popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter by offering a "Keep a List" function. "Get lucky? Add her to your brag list," the app states. "You can include a name, date, and whatever details you remember."

Trying to diffuse some of the controversy surrounding what one critic calls "a great new case study for branded apps gone wrong," Pepsi apologized on its Amp Energy Twitter account.

"Our app tried 2 show the humorous lengths guys go 2 pick up women," AMP's tweet reads. "We apologize if it's in bad taste & appreciate your feedback."

At the time of this posting, AMP UP Before You Score is still available from the App Store.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

California, Florida Reps File Latest Bill to Repeal Section 230

Two members of Congress on Thursday introduced new legislation to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects interactive computer services — including adult platforms — from liability for user-generated content.

Admaze Introduces Flat-Rate Media Buying for Publishers, Advertisers

Adult ad network and agency Admaze has introduced a flat-rate media buying model for publishers and advertisers.

Centro Launches Lifetime Revenue Share Affiliate Program 'CentroPulse'

Centro has launched CentroPulse, its new lifetime revenue share affiliate program for performance marketers, adult traffic affiliates, established webmasters, and sub-affiliate network operators.

Fanstage Launches Telegram Sales Solution

Fanstage has launched its new platform, allowing creators to sell PPV content directly from their Telegram DMs.

Second Bill Proposed to Shield US Sites From 'Foreign Censorship'

For the second time in recent weeks, a Republican congressman has introduced legislation to bar U.S. courts from helping to enforce foreign laws restricting speech that would domestically be protected under the First Amendment, potentially including foreign age verification laws.

SextPanther Launches in EU, UK

SextPanther has expanded its territory to include the U.K. and E.U.

Segpay Expands to Australia, Names Sam O'Connell Managing Director

Segpay has expanded its territory to include Australia and named Sam O’Connell as managing director of its Australian operation.

Ondato Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

Age and identity verification company Ondato has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

2026 XBIZ Amsterdam Conference Schedule Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full show schedule for XBIZ Amsterdam, set to take place Sept. 10-13 at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam.

Ukrainian Legislators Revive Porn Decriminalization Push

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, is once again considering a bill that would decriminalize the creation and distribution of pornography in that country — an activity that currently carries a prison sentence of three to five years.

Show More