The latest development in the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Applebee’s.
The American restaurant chain issued an apology after its commercial aired during CNN’s live coverage of the European geopolitical crisis. In an episode of CNN Newsroom on Thursday, news presenters Bianna Golodryga and Jim Sciutto were taking the viewers to a commercial break as the air siren raid in Ukraine plays in the background.
Immediately after, the Applebee’s ad played. The video features American country music group Zac Brown Band’s song Chicken Fried.
The clip of the unfortunate commercial break transition trended on Twitter.
While the ad placement during the show is not in Applebee’s control, the restaurant chain issued an apology. In a tweet by Forbes writer Marty Swant, he said that the company answered his query on the ad placement with a statement.
The California-headquartered firm said they “immediately reached out to CNN to pause [their] advertising on their network” after learning of the unfortunate commercial placement.
“It never should have aired, and we are disappointed in the actions of the network,” said the Applebee’s spokesperson.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine after months of posturing increasing military presence at the countries’ shared border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that around 137 civilians and military personnel had been killed on the first day of the invasion.
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