Absolut Vodka Apoligizes

Saturday, April 05, 2008
Vodka Maker Apologizes for Ad Depicting Southwest as Part of Mexico
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Absolut Vodka ad depicting the southwestern U.S. as part of Mexico.



MEXICO CITY — The Absolut vodka company apologized Saturday for an ad campaign depicting the southwestern U.S. as part of Mexico amid angry calls for a boycott by U.S. consumers.

The campaign, which promotes ideal scenarios under the slogan "In an Absolut World," showed a 1830s-era map when Mexico included California, Texas and other southwestern states. Mexico still resents losing that territory in the 1848 Mexican-American War and the fight for Texas independence.

But the ads, which ran only in Mexico and have since ended, came as the United States builds up its border security amid an emotional debate over illegal immigration from their southern neighbor.

More than a dozen calls to boycott Absolut were posted on michellemalkin.com, a Web site operated by conservative columnist Michelle Malkin. The ads sparked heated comment on a half-dozen other Internet sites and blogs.

"In no way was it 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," Absolut said in a statement left on its consumer inquiry phone line.

Some fringe U.S. groups also claim the land is rightfully part of Mexico, while extreme immigration foes argue parts of the U.S. already are being overtaken by Mexico.

"In an Absolut world, a company that produces vodka fires its entire marketing department in a desperate attempt to win back enraged North American customers after a disastrous ad campaign backfires," a person using the moniker "SalsaNChips" wrote on Malkin's Web site.

A plan for comprehensive immigration reform designed to deal with an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States — the vast majority from Mexico — collapsed last summer under the emotional weight of the debate.

Absolut said the ad was designed for a Mexican audience and intended to recall "a time which the population of Mexico might feel was more ideal."

"As a global company, we recognize that people in different parts of the world may lend different perspectives or interpret our ads in a different way than was intended in that market, and for that we apologize."

Vin & Sprit, Absolut's Sweden-based parent company, will be acquired by French spirit maker Pernod Ricard SA under a deal reached last week.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,346964,00.html

Fired the entire department? yippee

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Originally Posted by SarahPorter

Fired the entire department? yippee

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no they didn't, that was just "salsanchips" "absolut dream" comment

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As a global company, we recognize that people in different parts of the world may lend different perspectives or interpret our ads in a different way than was intended in that market, and for that we apologize

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They never apologized for the ad. They apologized that we did not look at it the way a Mexican would, therefore, we didn't get it. It was pure sarcasm, read it again

I dont except the apology and will now drink Grey Goose

Cayla, Thanks for the correction. I had skimmed it real quick.

Sounds like we made a dent into these folks (at least a little).

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Originally Posted by SarahPorter

Cayla, Thanks for the correction. I had skimmed it real quick.

Sounds like we made a dent into these folks (at least a little).

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When I first saw it on Ws post this morning, I didn't get it until I read it a second time. I broke it down there and asked if I was nuts. Everyone who commented agreed with my breakdown, so my sanity is safe for now anyway.

Wonder how the stocks of Absolut vodka company will do Monday--will all Americans with stock in the company get rid of it?

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A plan for comprehensive immigration reform designed to deal with an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States — the vast majority from Mexico — collapsed last summer under the emotional weight of the debate.

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Am sick and tired of hearing about how the comprehensive immigration reform 'FAILED TO PASS' or 'COLLAPSED' last year--Americans said NO and MEANT IT.

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.
Benjamin Franklin

There are a whole lot more good comments to this so called apology on this thread:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-659610.html#659610

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The campaign, which promotes ideal scenarios under the slogan "In an Absolut World," showed a 1830s-era map when Mexico included California, Texas and other southwestern states. Mexico still resents losing that territory in the 1848 Mexican-American War and the fight for Texas independence

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The cat is out of the bag. Their PR dept planned to cash in on this because apparently, as far as they could determine, many in Mexico do feel this way.

Apology is nice but the damage has been done.

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Originally Posted by jean

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The campaign, which promotes ideal scenarios under the slogan "In an Absolut World," showed a 1830s-era map when Mexico included California, Texas and other southwestern states. Mexico still resents losing that territory in the 1848 Mexican-American War and the fight for Texas independence

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The cat is out of the bag. Their PR dept planned to cash in on this because apparently, as far as they could determine, many in Mexico do feel this way.

Apology is nice but the damage has been done.

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There have been worse insults in some of the apologies, than there were in the original ad. At least the ad is PROOF we are NOT a bunch of fringe group nuts.

SORRY BUT AN APOLOGY DOES NOT DO IT FOR ME. THIS COMPANY IS ON THE S**T LIST WITH SO MANY OTHERS. LET THEM SELL TO THE MEXICANS.

It has now been two years, since I have had a Miller Genuine Draft. Absolut Vodka has now joined that list. :twisted: :twisted:

I will never buy Absolut again regardless of this half-hearted apology...heck, it's not even that good to begin with!

This is not an apology for those whom they offended, it is an apology that they were offended in the first place.

Hey wasn't someone going to start a boycott and contacting bars thoughout the states Cayla? What happened to that?

This is the state I REALLY LIKE SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE GETTING HIT AND HIT BIG TIME:

"In no way was it 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," Absolut said in a statement left on its consumer inquiry phone line.

They wouldn't leave that on their inquiry line if they weren't hit in a firestorm.

If we had a good e-flyer with the copy of the ad and the even more insulting "non-apology" we should start sending it to beverage vendors, distributors, bars and restaurants....even a letter or commentary to any industry/trade magazines. I did send a copy of the ad to the VFW and American Legion Post in my area...they do a lot of events, dinners, etc. and have a bar at their posts...so they won't be buying or serving Absolut anymore.

Good idea how do we get the email and telephone numbers of these associations and bars? Just go through the yellow pages? Seems like there needs to be an easier way.

We get the southern states in this and it will hurt big time.

Update: Absolut tries again. I think they are starting to get it:

We apologize
Posted Sunday, April 06, 2008, 7:38:29 PM

During the weekend we have received several comments on the ad published in Mexico. We acknowledge the reactions and debate and want to apologize for the concerns this ad caused. We are truly sorry and understand that the ad has offended several persons. This was not our intention. The ad has been withdrawn as of Friday April 4th and will not be used in the future.

In no way was the ad meant to offend or disparage, or advocate an altering of borders, lend support to any anti-American sentiment, or to reflect immigration issues.

To ensure that we avoid future similar mistakes, we are adjusting our internal advertising approval process for ads that are developed in local markets.

This is a genuine and sincere apology,

By Paula Eriksson, VP Corporate Communications, V&S Absolut Spirits

http://michellemalkin.com/

An American Motto: DON"T TREAD ON ME

(In a previous statement didn't they say the ad had run its course and was ended April 1st?)

Better but their other associations that have come to light because of it are very troubling. I would continue to boycott Absolut

just "google" beverage trade industry...or food and beverage association....
numerous groups appear..there's a national group and state and local chapters....plus restaurant associations etc.

click on the L.A. Times report of the "psuedo-apology" and click on related stories to vote on the poll regarding Americans opinion about the offensive Absolut/Reconquista ad.....over 68% have voted that it is offensive and they will BOYCOTT ABSOLUT. take the poll.....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 8550.story

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Update: Absolut tries again. I think they are starting to get it:

We apologize
Posted Sunday, April 06, 2008, 7:38:29 PM

During the weekend we have received several comments on the ad published in Mexico. We acknowledge the reactions and debate and want to apologize for the concerns this ad caused. We are truly sorry and understand that the ad has offended several persons. This was not our intention. The ad has been withdrawn as of Friday April 4th and will not be used in the future.

In no way was the ad meant to offend or disparage, or advocate an altering of borders, lend support to any anti-American sentiment, or to reflect immigration issues.

To ensure that we avoid future similar mistakes, we are adjusting our internal advertising approval process for ads that are developed in local markets.

This is a genuine and sincere apology,

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There first so called "apology" was basically a non-apology attempting to justify and defend their add. This second apology is too late in my book and they can stick it. We already know how this company feels and there is no apology that can change that.

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Originally Posted by Gogo

Hey wasn't someone going to start a boycott and contacting bars thoughout the states Cayla? What happened to that?

This is the state I REALLY LIKE SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE GETTING HIT AND HIT BIG TIME:

"In no way was it 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," Absolut said in a statement left on its consumer inquiry phone line.

They wouldn't leave that on their inquiry line if they weren't hit in a firestorm.

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A few Irish groups are livid for two reasons;

1) They did not immigrate or illegally immigrate (there are those in BOTH categories) to become part of Mexico. If they wanted to be in Mexico, they would have gone there instead.

2) Those who are here illegally realize that this ad could make their dream of amnesty a lot harder to obtain, if not impossible. I think they were going to contact politicians back home to file a complaint with the EU.


I know my hubby emailed flier styled copies to a few pubs in San Francisco where he knew the owners, asking them to post the ad and ban all alcoholic products from this company.

Other than that, William asked our advise about a formal boycott, we have all been very open and vocal, but he hasn't come back with an official decision yet. Originally, he only wanted the ad pulled and an apology. However, I don't think anybody here feels the first apology was sincere. There is even debate whether it was an actual apology.

I don't know how he feels about the second one. My personal feelings are it was as phony as the first, but displayed a whole lot more fear. The essence I got from it was, they still are not sorry about the ad, but boy are they sorry they got caught.

My feelings too Cayla. It's like all those apologies from actors who have said something, then they get caught so for career purposes the apologies come out. Rev Wright sure hasn't given any.

I wonder if the Presidential Candidates are getting wind of this fire storm?

Here is one link:

http://www.nightclub.com/

Ironically, one of their first articles is about vodka and martinis.

Cayla your hubby has a great idea there, something we all could do where ever we live.

Cayla your hubby has a great idea there, something we all could do where ever we live.

By Ben BarnaApril 08, 2008
A new controversial Absolut vodka ad is stirring up sentiments many Americans would prefer to keep south of the border. The ad shows a map of a pre-1848 America, when Mexico’s border stretched into the nether regions of our fair land (picture is left), with a slogan that reads, “In an Absolut World.â€