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 © 2025 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

Arcom-Targeted Sites Implement Age Verification in France

Five high-traffic adult websites based outside of France have implemented age verification as required under the nation’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, after receiving warnings from French media regulator Arcom.

Goddess Lilith Launches 'Adultpreneurs' Networking Site

Goddess Lilith has launched Adultpreneurs, a new community and networking site.

Adult Venue Marketplace 'FckSpace' Launches

The adult venue marketplace FckSpace has officially launched.

Florida Attorney General Dismisses AV Suit Against Segpay

The Florida attorney general’s office on Monday agreed to dismiss claims against payment processor Segpay in a lawsuit over alleged noncompliance with the state’s age verification law.

FTC Weighs Reboot of 'Click to Cancel' Rulemaking Process

The Federal Trade Commission has invited public comments on a petition to renew trade regulation rulemaking concerning negative option plans, after a federal court previously vacated a “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions.

VRPorn.com Releases 2025 'Annual Report'

VRPorn.com has released its Annual Report, highlighting its audience favorites from throughout 2025.

MrPornGeek Launches 'Visibility Boost' System

MrPornGeek has introduced a new paid visibility boost feature designed to temporarily increase advertiser exposure across select sections of its platform.

New Federal Bills Aim to Repeal Section 230

Members of Congress this week introduced two bills calling for the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects interactive computer services — including adult platforms — from liability for user-generated content.

RM11 Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

RM11 has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Mark Spiegler Named XBIZ Talk Guest for 2026 LA Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that famed talent agent Mark Spiegler, impresario of the Spiegler Girls agency, will join an exclusive talk session at XBIZ 2026, the latest edition of North America’s largest adult industry conference, set to take place Jan. 12-15 at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Show More