Kendall Jenner's controversial protest advert for Pepsi has reportedly been pulled after a huge social media backlash, according to The Daily Beast.

In a statement released to the website, the soft drinks company admits that it "missed the mark" with the protest themed advert, which saw the model, 21, appearing to calm a protest by handing a police officer a can of the famous cola.

Following a backlash on social media, which saw the ad labelled "wrong" and in "bad taste", the company is allegedly "pulling" the advert and halting any "further rollout" of it.

A spokesperson for the company told Daily Beast: "Pepsi was trying to project a global a message of unity, peace and understanding.

(Image: GrimmKardashian/Twitter)

"Clearly, we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue.

"We are pulling the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position."

Mirror Online have a representatives of Kendall Jenner and Pepsi for comment.

The new advert starred Kendall as a high-fashion model, donning a blonde wig in the midst of a protest .

It wasn't clear what the protest was supposed to be about - many of the signs read general phrases like "Join the conversation" and "love."

(Image: Splash News) (Image: GrimmKardashian/Twitter)

Beckoned by one of the protesters, Kendall eventually ripped off her blonde wig and joined the fray.

Grabbing a can of Pepsi, she headed toward one of the grim-faced police officers, and handed him a drink.

He accepted and smiled, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

(Image: GrimmKardashian/Twitter) (Image: Splash News)

It's hard not to compare the image of Jenner handing the can to the police officer to the award-winning photo from a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, protest against police brutality last July.

In it, Ieshia Evans can be seen, calm and collected, offering her hands for arrest to a group of riot-gear-clad police officers.

(Image: Reuters)

In the YouTube description for the commercial, titled "Live for Now Moments Anthem," Pepsi called it "a short film about the moments when we decide to let go, choose to act, follow our passion and nothing holds us back." It featured "Lions" by Skip Marley.

Following the release of the ad, Pepsi quickly began trending in the US on Twitter, as many social media users ripped it to shreds.

(Image: GrimmKardashian/Twitter)

Reactions ranged from humorous jabs ("Hi, I'm Rachel Dolezal for Crystal Pepsi") to calls for whoever greenlit the commercial to be fired.

One person posted on Twitter: “Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad summarized: The Revolution Will Be Televised as a Beautiful People Rave With Police as Benevolent Security Guards.”

Another joked: “I never knew one can of pepsi could end police brutality wow thank god for kendall jenner”, while another simply said: “That Pepsi ad with Kendall Jenner is a real mess ... so much wrong with it.”

One person summarised: “Their new ad campaign is Kendall Jenner showing up at a BLM protest and handing a police officer a Pepsi and suddenly he’s happy. Bad taste.”

A spokesman for the soft drinks company originally said: “This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey.”

Despite the backlash, Kendall was quick to share her delight at working on the advert.

"I am thrilled to join the legendary roster of icons who have represented their generations and worked with Pepsi."

She added: "The spirit of Pepsi - living in the 'now' moment- is one that I believe in.

"I make a conscious effort in my everyday life and travels to enjoy every experience of today."