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  1. #1
    Senior Member jp_48504's Avatar
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    Political correctness and liquor don't mix

    Sunday, April 13, 2008
    Michelle Malkin
    Political correctness and liquor don't mix

    Is it wise for a global beverage company to pander to radical politics while alienating a much wider consumer base?

    Absolut, the Swedish-owned vodka maker, apparently drinks to that. Last week, my e-mailbox lit up with messages from readers and fellow bloggers about a new Absolut ad catering to Mexican drinkers who believe the American Southwest belongs to them. (That extreme ethno-supremacist idea, of course, is not news to anyone who has paid attention to the massive illegal alien marches of the past two years -- where "This is our continent, not yours" has been a rallying mainstay.) As part of its "In an Absolut World" campaign in print magazines and on billboards, the company featured a large color photo of a redrawn map of the continental United States. The ad imposed pre-1848 borders on America, with Mexico swallowing up California, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.

    Here's how Favio Ucedo, creative director of leading U.S. Latino advertising agency Grupo Gallegos, which was not involved in the Absolut campaign, explained the reconquista-endorsing ad to the Los Angeles Times: "Mexicans talk about how the Americans stole their land, so this is their way of reclaiming it. It's very relevant and the Mexicans will love the idea."

    Oops. Guess he didn't get the liberal talking points manual: You're supposed to deny that reconquista exists and label anyone who criticizes it as a delusional racist. And remember: The National Council of La Raza ("the race") claims that reconquista is just a "code word" invented by conservative "hate groups" who are dreaming the whole thing up.

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    Reader Paul Hergert wrote to Absolut: "Your company's illustration of Mexico occupying a large part of the western United States is reprehensible for myriad reasons. Not only is it an anachronistic and ersatz view of geography, it also unnecessarily inflames American/Mexican tensions. I understand that marketing is to be provocative, but when it can be used as propaganda for certain people/nations, it has crossed the line into the political realm and is, therefore, inappropriate."

    Bar owner Matthew Rogers of Pt. Richmond, Calif., sent this note to the company: "I run a bar in Pt. Richmond. ... After seeing your ad campaign where you show a western map of the United States in which California is part of Mexico again, I've decided to do the following: 1) Never carry Absolut. Ever; 2) Lower the price of Ketel One vodka to $2 a shot indefinitely to build loyalty; 3) Print a copy of your ad and put it above the Ketel One drink special; 4) Tell all my friends and family what Absolut thinks of the United States of America and our right to enforce border laws. I am on the frontline of illegal immigration and its effects. Where are you? Oh, yes, Sweden. Good riddance."

    Absolut's initial response to complaints was to hang up on consumers who phoned and to delete their e-mail without bothering to read it. But the controversy spread like a California wildfire stoked by Internet Santa Ana winds. In the first of two statements, Absolut Vice President of Corporate Communications Paula Eriksson attempted to douse the flames by touting the company's embrace-diversity ethos. "As a global company," she pedantically intoned, "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. Obviously, this ad was run in Mexico, and not the U.S. -- that ad might have been very different."

    That arrogant, p.c. sanctimony had the effect of pouring gas on the flames. So over the weekend, Eriksson issued a new statement announcing withdrawal of the ad. It wascomically titled "We apologize" -- and disingenuously argued that "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. ...This is a genuine and sincere apology."

    For its part, the open-borders Associated Press attempted to minimize the widespread opposition to the Absolut ad from Americans and persisted in labeling reconquista views "fringe." I direct them to the speech given two weeks ago in San Bernardino by Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair Dolores Huerta, who railed, "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" and gloated that immigration enforcement is moot because the reconquista is won. "It's really too late," Huerta said. "If 47 million (Latinos) have one baby each ... it's already won."

    Maybe Absolut should hire Huerta as its next spokesperson.

    Fresh off its Aztlan debacle, the company announced its newest campaign this week featuring an ad titled "Ruler," described as "a humorous look at gay men and their fascination with perfect, eight-inch 'member' measurements."

    The company doesn't seem to have grasped that left-wing identity politics and liquor don't mix.

    Michelle Malkin's column is distributed by Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... /804130305
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  2. #2
    Senior Member jp_48504's Avatar
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    Absolut-ely left at the bar

    By Michelle Malkin
    April 13, 2008

    Is it wise for a global beverage company to pander to radical politics while alienating a much wider consumer base?

    Absolut, the Swedish-owned vodka maker, apparently drinks to that. Last week, my e-mailbox lit up with messages from readers and fellow bloggers about a new Absolut ad catering to Mexican drinkers who believe the American Southwest belongs to them. (That extreme ethno-supremacist idea, of course, is not news to anyone who has paid attention to the massive illegal alien marches of the last two years — where "This is our continent, not yours" has been a rallying mainstay.) As part of its "In an Absolut World" campaign in print magazines and on billboards, the company featured a large color photo of a redrawn map of the continental United States. The ad imposed pre-1848 borders on America, with Mexico swallowing up California, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.

    Here's how Favio Ucedo, creative director of leading U.S. Latino advertising agency Grupo Gallegos, which was not involved in the Absolut campaign, explained the reconquista-endorsing ad to the Los Angeles Times: "Mexicans talk about how the Americans stole their land, so this is their way of reclaiming it. It's very relevant and the Mexicans will love the idea."

    Oops. Guess he didn't get the liberal talking points manual: You're supposed to deny reconquista exists and label anyone who criticizes it as a delusional racist. And remember: The National Council of La Raza ("the race") claims that reconquista is just a "code word" invented by conservative "hate groups" dreaming the whole thing up.

    Reader Paul Hergert wrote to Absolut: "Your company's illustration of Mexico occupying a large part of the Western United States is reprehensible for myriad reasons. Not only is it an anachronistic and ersatz view of geography, it also unnecessarily inflames American-Mexican tensions. I understand that marketing is to be provocative, but when it can be used as propaganda for certain people/nations, it has crossed the line into the political realm and is, therefore, inappropriate."

    Bar owner Matthew Rogers of Point Richmond, Calif., sent this note to the company: "I run a bar in Point Richmond. ... After seeing your ad campaign where you show a Western map of the United States in which California is part of Mexico again, I've decided to do the following: (1) Never carry Absolut. Ever; (2) Lower the price of Ketel One vodka to $2 a shot indefinitely to build loyalty; (3) Print a copy of your ad and put it above the Ketel One drink special; (4) Tell all my friends and family what Absolut thinks of the United States of America and our right to enforce border laws. I am on the frontline of illegal immigration and its effects. Where are you? Oh, yes, Sweden. Good riddance."

    Absolut's initial response to complaints was to hang up on consumers who phoned and to delete their e-mails without bothering to read them. But the controversy spread like a California wildfire stoked by Internet Santa Ana winds. In the first of two statements, Absolut Vice President of Corporate Communications Paula Eriksson attempted to douse the flames by touting the company's embrace-diversity ethos. "As a global company," she pedantically intoned, "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. Obviously, this ad was run in Mexico, and not the U.S. — that ad might have been very different."

    That arrogant, PC sanctimony had the effect of pouring gas on the flames. So over the weekend, Ms. Eriksson issued a new statement announcing the ad's withdrawal. It was comically titled "We apologize" — and disingenuously argued that "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. ... This is a genuine and sincere apology."

    For its part, the open-borders Associated Press attempted to minimize the widespread opposition to the Absolut ad from Americans and persisted in labeling reconquista views "fringe." I direct them to the speech given two weeks ago in San Bernardino by Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair Dolores Huerta, who railed, "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" and gloated that immigration enforcement is moot because the reconquista is won. "It's really too late," Ms. Huerta said. "If 47 million [Latinos] have one baby each ... it's already won."

    Maybe Absolut should hire Ms. Huerta as its next spokesperson.

    Fresh off its Aztlan debacle, the company announced its newest campaign this week featuring an ad titled "Ruler," described as "a humorous look at gay men and their fascination with perfect, eight-inch 'member' measurements."

    The company doesn't seem to have grasped that left-wing identity politics and liquor don't mix.

    Michelle Malkin is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of "Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild."


    http://washingtontimes.com/article/2008 ... COMMENTARY
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  3. #3
    Senior Member miguelina's Avatar
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    That arrogant, PC sanctimony had the effect of pouring gas on the flames. So over the weekend, Ms. Eriksson issued a new statement announcing the ad's withdrawal. It was comically titled "We apologize" — and disingenuously argued that "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. ... This is a genuine and sincere apology."
    My response would be the same as theirs:

    Absolut's initial response to complaints was to hang up on consumers who phoned and to delete their e-mails without bothering to read them.
    They forgot the golden rule:
    Sorry Absolut, we don't need YOU, you need us. This is a "sincere" apology

    Skyy anyone?
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    "

  4. #4
    Senior Member crazybird's Avatar
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    Not a good move on their part for sure.
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  5. #5
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  6. #6
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    UT ..just ONE illegal is too many, let’s start w/the usurper & his cronies..!! ;)
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    For its part, the open-borders Associated Press attempted to minimize the widespread opposition to the Absolut ad from Americans and persisted in labeling reconquista views "fringe."

    I direct them to the speech given two weeks ago in San Bernardino by Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair Dolores Huerta, who railed, "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" and gloated that immigration enforcement is moot because the reconquista is won. "It's really too late," Ms. Huerta said. "If 47 million [Latinos] have one baby each ... it's already won."
    Wow, I didn’t know this about the Hillary Campaign..! She’d better drop Huerta like a rock, but even with her, Hellary is still a better Democrat ..whatever that means..

    ..than the Lying Racist & Manipulating Socialist Osama 'Insane Hussein'..!
    No need for ‘mass roundups’, simply ENFORCE EXISTING law*& MANDATE the worker ID, ..but SEVEN amnesties? Hmm, WHO cried wolf?!

  7. #7
    Senior Member zeezil's Avatar
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    Americans Cry 'Racism' Over Absolut Poster
    Outrage Over Mexican Ad Shows Risky New Side of Globalism to Marketers
    By Laurel Wentz
    Published: April 14, 2008

    NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In a nightmare scenario for Absolut vodka and global agency TBWA, a print ad that ran only in Mexico was picked up by American bloggers, entered the blog-fed news cycle and inflamed U.S. anti-immigration factions, detonating racist comments and calls for a boycott of Absolut.

    Where are we? Absolut is left nursing a hangover after cross-border jaunting.

    The ad, by TBWA Teran in Mexico City, was a local execution of the international "In an Absolut World" campaign that depicts an ideal world. In this case, a map showed much of the U.S. Southwest as part of Mexico, as it once was.

    The furor reflects a growing challenge for international marketers and their agencies: how to vet local creative work that might offend people in other countries if it leaks out on the internet, without sacrificing local effectiveness.

    World without borders
    "It's no longer a world where you can contain anything within borders," said Kevin Roddy, executive creative director at Bartle Bogle Hegarty.

    "Creatives have that extra layer of needing to put work through the filter of global issues that are true hot buttons," said Ann Hayden, exec VP-creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi. "Most things aren't picked up [in other countries], unless they're great or totally offensive or hit a hot button. You can have a lot of fun with stuff but you have to know when you're playing with fire."

    For the last week, Absolut and TBWA have watched in horror as the news cycle played out. The ad originally ran in Mexico's Quien, a celebrity-gossip magazine published by Time Warner-owned Grupo Expansion. After bloggers, including Ad Age's Laura Martinez, posted the ad in the States, it began a wild rush across the web, making its way onto both mainstream media and the Drudge Report. The story crossed over into TV, airing on CNN Headline News. CNN's Lou Dobbs said Americans were outraged. Newspapers across the country picked up wire-service stories about the ad and the anti-immigration backlash it prompted, and local papers' websites lit up with comments, mostly negative.

    A Los Angeles Times poll on the topic, for example, drew nearly 67,000 responses, with about 62% agreeing with the statement: "The ad is an affront to Americans. I'm going to boycott the product."

    Absolut issued an apology on its website and on a PR phone line.

    Teran/TBWA, the agency that created the ad, isn't exactly a hotbed of rabble rousers. José Teran opened the agency in Mexico City in 1947 and still has his first client, department store El Palacio del Hierro. Mr. Teran, now in his 80s, still goes to work at the agency, run by his son, José Alberto.
    http://adage.com/hispanic/article?article_id=126347
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