Which advertising campaign faced backlash for being considered "tone deaf"?

The advertising campaign that is widely recognized for facing backlash due to being considered "tone deaf" is Pepsi's protest ad. This particular campaign featured Kendall Jenner, who appeared to diffuse a protest situation with a can of Pepsi, which many viewers found trivialized social justice movements. It was criticized for seemingly appropriating serious social issues for commercial gain, leading to a significant public outcry and accusations of insensitivity.

While American Eagle's campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney did draw attention, it is not primarily remembered for being "tone deaf." The other choices, such as Nike's equality campaign and Coca-Cola's "America the Beautiful," received mixed reviews but did not ignite the same level of outrage surrounding insensitivity to social issues as Pepsi's protest ad did. Pepsi's misstep serves as a notable example of how brands can misinterpret social commentary, resulting in significant backlash.