There's a tremendous kerfuffle being played out in social spaces about an Australian ad for KFC. No complaints at all when aired in Oz, but a right old ding-dong kicks off when the ad was loaded to YouTube and viewed by our chums from the US. Here's the ad...

It turns out that there is a negative stereotype to do with African-Americans and fried chicken. Also the Australian chap in the scene doesn't help by describing his as an "awkward" situation, which can easily be interpreted as not enjoying being surrounded by folk of a different skin colour. (I'm left more bemused by why the guy thinks he's in an "awkward situation". Being surrounded by happy West Indian cricket fans isn't exactly the same level of "awkward situation" as being in the wrong end at a football match is it?)

The implication is, of course, that the world can now see your ads and other forms of marketing without you ever intending them to. So do ads need to be rigorously checked for cultural sensitivity across the globe now? I'm going for a "no", with a caveat to not be daft about it or deliberately insensitive. "Yes" would surely be a recipe for blandness?

Whatever your opinion on this KFC debate this "awkward situation", with plenty of negative PR for KFC in their home country, highlights the need to be listening to chatter in social spaces. If things go awry, it's much easier to have a voice if you're already part of the conversation.

There's links to more debate including YouTube responses from both US and Australia in this post from Mashable.