Absolut Vodka Clarifies US - Mexico Border Issue …

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H/T to Gateway Pundit for posting the pic and the story on this. Absolut Vodka ran this ad in Mexico only. However, the US-Mexico border being so porous and there being no one left in Mexico anyway, the ad also promptly made its way north. I very seldom partake of alcohol, and then only beer, so a boycott doesn’t impact me much. Still, a sizable group of Vodka drinkers are migrating (legally, mind you) to another brand of spirits. You’d think companies spending as much money as Absolut does on marketing and branding would be very careful about their ad campaigns. You’d be wrong.

Still, Absolut made about as boneheaded a call as possible in approving this ad. It defies imagination to believe they did not foresee the ad would be found by Americans; many of whom would find it in bad taste. That their marketing department did not also understand that bad taste would be washed out with a brand of alcohol other than Absolut is also a bit short sighted. Faced with a potential PR nightmare, they seem to be simply the wagons as opposed to dealing with the issue with a view to winning back consumers. One of the company’s responses says they had “received a few comments” over the weekend.
Right. And the US has a few Marines in Iraq this weekend as well!

Michelle Malkin has their responses starting with

The In An Absolut World advertising campaign invites consumers to visualize a world that appeals to them — one they feel may be more idealized or one that may be a bit “fantastic.” As such, the campaign will elicit varying opinions and points of view. 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.

and going downhill from there. Michelle shows a potential copy created with a Palestinian sensibility while other enterprising Americans have created the Russian sensibility and (my personal favorite) the Texan sensibility. There will be more.

How about the one for upscale, located outside the Middle East, jihadist magazines showing Europe in general and Sweden in particular as part of the new Caliphate? Those Arabs guys have lots of money! We mustn’t forget the 18-25, Muslim male, poised for jihad and needing that last shot of liquid courage to push the button sensibility! Perhaps a trip down memory lane and ads in Germany showing most of Europe under the control of the Nazis.

Late thought - where are the bleeding heart economists crying for subsidies and bailouts for Absolut? After all, they stand to lose a lot of money for their ignorance. And we all know the market can’t be trusted to deal with such matters. Cooler heads must prevail. What’s the problem with K Street? Have they no Swedish minions to massage the psyche of the people to make them forget their outrage?

I’m not particularly offended by the ad. I’m impressed, however, that a major company would be that stupid. At times like this, you just have to love the fact that Free Market principles are still alive and well. I’m waiting to see what happens to Absolut’s market share and who steps up.

Time for some more popcorn and Neil Cavuto.

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Blue Collar Muse @ April 6, 2008