Chicken? Santam hits back at Nando’s [Update]

About a week ago Nando’s, in its usual cheeky way, ripped off a Santam ad, the one that features famed thespian Ben Kingsley. The fast-food outlet’s ad satirised the tone and setting of Santam’s original ad. But Santam is not upset. Quite the contrary — the group is flattered.

So in the spirit of fun Santam decided two could play that game. The financial services provider released its own ad that challenges the fast-food outlet to donate to a charity chosen by Santam. In this new ad, Santam gives Nando’s a date, time and place to deliver a large order of its famed chicken meals.

The company hopes Nando’s will accept the challenge gracefully.

Nando’s is famous for poking fun at everyone from dictators, to politicians, and young pretenders. I suppose it’s about time someone hit back.

Update: Nando’s has made good on the challenge, delivering the food some 24 hours before Santam’s cutoff. In an official statement, the fast food chain said is had “never shown itself to be chicken and run away from a challenge”.

Nando’s South Africa Marketing Director Quinton Cronje said the company was “more than happy to oblige” when publicly asked to do something good. “We’re also very flattered that a prominent financial institution liked our advert so much it took the time to spoof it,” he added.