DON’T DRINK THE ABSOLUT « The Catskill Commentator

DON’T DRINK THE ABSOLUT April 4, 2008

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UPDATE 4-9

The vodka company that envisions an “Absolut” world in which Mexico regains the U.S. Southwest is now unveiling two new “lifestyle-driven” ads focused on homosexual men and their “members,” and same-sex couples.
Calling itself the “preferred brand of vodka for gay and lesbian consumers,” the Absolut Spirits Co. says it’s targeting homosexuals for the first time with a campaign “embracing both the humorous and socially conscious.”
“Absolut challenges the status quo by presenting a bold and optimistic worldview that speaks directly to gay men and women,” the company said in a news release. “The campaign visually answers the questions ‘what if everything in the world were approached with the same ideals that Absolut approaches vodka?’”
The ads began appearing late last month in local and national “LGBT media,” or lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender.
One new ad, called “Ruler,” takes “a humorous look at gay men and their fascination with perfect, eight-inch ‘member’ measurements,” the company says.
In another, titled “Stadium,” the marketing campaign “engages on the issue of gay marriage when one half of a gay couple ‘pops’ the question during a sports outing.”
The ads were created by the partnership of SPI Marketing and Moon City in New York, building “on a heritage of advertisements that prominently featured gay artists since 1984.”
Absolut spokesman Jeffrey Moran said that as a “long-time supporter of the gay and lesbian community, we acknowledge that you can’t simply speak to gay men and lesbians as consumers, but instead need to make real connections to their lives which we believe we are achieving with our new creative executions.”
“As a company, we respect gay men and lesbians not simply in advertising messages, but behind the scenes as well,” he said. “We’re not gay-washing here.” STORY LINK

EDITOR’S NOTES: Well ain’t that special!

UPDATE: I’ve been reading other blogs and the furor over this ad has caused Absolut to issue a statement apologizing for the ad (but not withdrawing it).

“We are sorry if we offended anyone. This was not our intention. We will try to explain. Though you may not agree, I hope you understand.”
“We have a variety of executions running in countries worldwide, and each is germane to that country and that population. This particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility. In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal.”
“Obviously, this ad was run in Mexico, and not the US — that ad might have been very different.”

It seems to have generated an overwhelmingly negative response, and opinion polls hastily conducted show that 60 percent of Americans don’t like the ad. Proving that Absolut didn’t do their homework before running it. Ad’s like this do nothing to promote the product, instead are having the opposite effect.

I’d fire the ad agency. They certainly missed the boat. Of course liberals defend the ad, and blame the American public for being ‘thin skinned’ and unable to take a joke, we need diversity and the ablility to laugh at ourselves, blah blah freekin’ blah.

However, most of the posts are negative. I particularly like this one:

I wonder if Absolut’s German ads show an “idealized” Germany with half of Poland along with the Russian exclave around Kaliningrad?
I imagine it would hurt absolut business a lot in Poland and Russia. LINK

My way of looking at an Absolut world…

EDITOR’S NOTES: Michelle Malkin has an excellent article about an advertising agency from Mexico that’s handling the Absolut Voka account. See map below, and then comment to Absolut. Their phone numbers and contact infor are available on the Malkin site. Al Czervic

My comment: The Swedes can keep their Absolut. And their SAABS, too. But what would we expect from the socialist cesspool that is Sweden?

“Y’all can go to hell. I’m going to Texas” == Davy Crockett to the U S Congress. He then departed for the Alamo

Technorati tags: MICHELLE MALKIN, ABSOLUT, MEXICO, VODKA

Comments»

1. maureen g - April 4, 2008

Gentlemen:

I for one will not purchase your vodka ever again. I will spread the word to all at our local hangout. bye bye now….

2. Natalie - April 6, 2008

Add this Photoshop job to the pile of those spoofing the Absolut ad.

3. Jennifer F Usher - April 6, 2008

I am unable to fathom why Absolut would condone its AD department’s stabing Americans in the back when Border Issues are of the Upmost concern in The United States!?

Absolut’s AD Campaign lending credence to Mexicans Mistaken Belief that it has a right to the American States in its South of The Border Neighbor AD, Is Lamed Brained!!!

Mexicans were beaten twice, by The United States in two seperate Military Confrontations!!!

As a Native American and a Citizen of The United States, I am deeply offended by The Absolut AD, so much so That I won’t ever again buy anything Sweden is connected TOO…!

4. delilah - April 6, 2008

If this was only for Mexico, why was it in english???

5. Ben - April 6, 2008

email addy’s for Absolut & Pernod

The marketing manager in NY has a full mailbox and hangs up on people. Maybe the new owners (Pernod) will clean house.

6. Ozzyboy - April 6, 2008

Why does it seem that this company is targeting Mexicans with their booze? What are they implying about Mexicans and alcohol??
Boot the Absolut! How demeaning to all Mexicans!

7. Jim Fryar - April 7, 2008

You guys are not the only ones, I will not be using their products, and Stubbyholder, has posted in a similar vein to you, although he insists that the company is French.

8. Kyle, from Houston, Texas a proud state in the USA!! - April 7, 2008

[...]the worthless and cowardly Swedish. They get free healthcare and college while we work an extra 10 hours per week to buy weapons to defend their democracy and have to pay for our own college and healthcare. This latest bit of anti-American garbage was done in true cowardly Swedish fashion.

9. Diana - Baytown, Texas - April 7, 2008

According to a spokesperson for Absolute’s parent company: “This particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility.”

Guess the company is not concerned about United States citizen’s sensibility. Perhaps the vodka company is not aware that major Hispanic civil rights groups in the U.S., such as National Council of La Raza, advocates a “reconquista,” or reconquest, of territory lost when Mexico signed the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican-American War. Perhaps, they are also unaware of the on-going issue U.S. citizens have concerning ILLEGAL immigration. Yeah . . . Right!

Ad is insensitive to say the least!

10. Drew Taylor - April 7, 2008

Ah cool, my “German Absolut ad” comment got quoted here

But on more serious side, I am sick and tired of feeling like America is the punching bag for the world’s liberal elitists. I won’t be buying Absolut for a long time, if ever.

11. Jon K. - April 7, 2008

Sorry, but I won’t be drinking Absolut anymore. Nothing’s funny about Mexico’s insane desire for Reconquista.

12. Ed K. - April 8, 2008

As an Absolut drinker for over 20 years, I think they have gone way to far. I will now only buy and drink American vodka. As to the recent sale of Absolute, I will not knowingly buy or consume French products.
We saved their asses 65 years ago and now they thumb their noses at us. How quick they forget.