Opinion: Church’s Chicken Afro Samurai promotion doesn’t fear political correctness

When I read this release, I couldn’t help but think of the Eddie Griffin movie Undercover Brother, and some of the ridiculous ads in that’s film’s storyline including a chicken meal that came with a free 40 oz. But here goes – Church’s Chicken announced Monday (January 26,2009) a promotional partnership with Surge (a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Games America) and the new game Afro Samurai. Church’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Farnaz Wallace said this was a way to reach the “urban youth market through non-traditional media.”

OK, maybe I’m cynical, but couldn’t that tie-in with this game inadvertently say, “Young Black folks love Church’s Chicken and video games?”

In fairness to Church’s Chicken, last year the company did a similar promotion with…