• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, November 14, 2018

Seems like soon-to-be Pepsi subsidiary Sodastream has made quite a splash with its new ad. 

It condemns competing beverage makers for all the plastic bottles and six-pack rings they distribute, which are gumming up the Earth’s works. And it takes a not-so-subtle poke at Coke’s iconic “Hilltop” spot in the process.

The ad -- which features Rod Stewart (voicing the role of an animated sea turtle) and Icelandic strongman Hafthor "The Mountain" Bjornsson, among others -- was viewed more than 7 million times in its first 24 hours online.

In addition to Stewart and Bjornsson, the ad features a chorus atop a mountainous pile of discarded plastic bottles and rings singing “Now Is The Time For Change.” There is also an evil board of directors — presumably overseeing a major soda bottler (I wonder which one?) — that is focused solely on sales and profits.

It’s a clever and convincing ad you can watch here.

While you’re at the site, check out the tattoo opportunities that Sodastream is willing to spring for in the name of getting out its save-the-environment message -- if tattoos are your thing, that is.