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johnM
15 years ago
This is part of the worldwide information flow that is going on and points out an issue that is larger than just this specific Absolut advertisement. That is, “What political anti-American overseas advertising is being done by corporations that generate a significant amount of sales revenue in the domestic U.S. market?”
The past few years I spent living in Asia. I remember very well, some time back, that a Nokia commercial characterized the U.S. as a terrorist state. This was a soft commercial. It was a man-in-the-street format where someone in one of the Asian countries, supposedly not an actor, was asked a question on a current topic. The person would give an answer and then, at the end, there would be a message that it was sponsored by Nokia. Nokia put out a series of commercials like this.
I remember very well that in one commercial, where the question had to do with the possibilities of world peace, the answer described the threat to world peace as coming from “terrorist countries” like the “United States”. The commercial was put on the CNN channel I believe. I was shocked. I remember thinking that it is unfortunate that American consumers, who I am sure purchase many Nokia handsets, didn’t have an opportunity to see it. It might make them think twice about what mobile phones they purchase. Unfortunately, at the time, I had no way of recording it. And of course, Nokia would never run that commercial in the U.S.
These companies can deliver whatever marketing message they like, but it would be interesting to see how much political courage they would have if it affected their sales revenues in the U.S market. I, for one, will never drink Absolut again and I would be happy if more examples of this kind of advertising would be presented to the widest possible American audience.
John: Thanks for the example about Nokia. There are plenty of good cell phones out there, just as there are plenty of good vodkas, or rock and roll and film stars for that matter that don’t insult Americans at every opportunity.
Whenever we find examples like this we need to publicize them so others who feel the same as we do will have the information they need to make better choices on which products or services to support with their hard earned American dollars.
Gregory Dittman
15 years ago
Beyond the politics, it’s not a creative ad for Absolut. One of the rules is the shape of the bottle has to be a big part of the ad. here the bottle is a little thing and not even placed in Mexico, but rather in Venezuela. I think it would have been smarter to have Mexico’s map done in cubism so that Mexico (with its modern boundaries) looking like an Absolut bottle.
Maybe they should call their campaign, Absolut Disaster.
I’m glad I gave up drinking because I was a faithful consumer of their product. Skyy is a decent vodka produced in the US, hopefully they will see increased sales.
As a follow-up, It’s interesting that, “Vin & Sprit, Absolut’s Sweden-based parent company, will be acquired by French spirit maker Pernod Ricard SA under a deal reached last week.”. I wonder what this has done to the sale price…
ireally like the ad with the fence. makes me giggle. my neighbers brother-in-laws are all illegal, her husband isn’t, but hey they seriously all drive either a lexus, or an acura. please explain this to me. is it because they don’t pay taxes? makes me mad because my husband and i both work our butts off and we have 3 older cars that are toally paid for. put up a really high fence!!!
And Michelle Malkin is all over this with more on the comments people have sent to Absolut.
Machiavelli
15 years ago
I came up with an idea after hearing that the Teran/TBWA firm that came up with this ad campaign was based in Mexico City, and that: “The campaign taps into the national pride of Mexicans, according to Favio Ucedo, creative director of leading Latino advertising agency Grupo Gallegos in the U.S. Ucedo, who is from Argentina, said: ‘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.'”
It’s a plan for Absolut to boost their sales in Spain, and I’m sure the Teran/TBWA folks and Mr. Ucedo from Argentina will both “love it” too! In this new “Absolut World” we have a map of the good old “Greater Spanish Empire” of yesterday. You know, back when Mexico, Central America, and South America (including Ucedo’s Argentina) were all under Spanish Viceroys. I’m sure that the people of Spain will love the idea!
Absolut’s response to this controversy has been weak and weasel-like at best; typical non-apology type apology. Let them reap the economic consequences of their decision, and see whether or not that changes their tune and marketing tactics…
Dan
15 years ago
Hey Mike. Iceland and the UK holding out against the Bear.
That’s actually very funny.
Dan
15 years ago
Could someone do an ad with the Britsh Empire still intact?
suek
15 years ago
Found this today. It’s even worse than we thought…
Flopping Aces — Here’s more related news related to the link in the comment above: On April 3, I launched an effort calling upon New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to PARDON PETER LYNCH immediately. I encourage you and your readers to join the effort today!
Looks like they are now pulling the add, but the damage is done. Interesting aspects reporting in the article about immigration goals also.
EL PADRE DE TODOS LOS GRINGOS
15 years ago
GRINGOS KKK USTEDES PUEDEN ARRASAR CON PAISES ENTEROS Y HASTA APLAUDEN PERO UNA PUBLICIDAD LES SACA TODO SU DOLOR,RECUERDEN,SUS ABUELOS SON INMIGRANTES TAMBIEN!!! Y AMERICA ES UN NOMBRE ITALIANO!!!!MF!!!
This is part of the worldwide information flow that is going on and points out an issue that is larger than just this specific Absolut advertisement. That is, “What political anti-American overseas advertising is being done by corporations that generate a significant amount of sales revenue in the domestic U.S. market?”
The past few years I spent living in Asia. I remember very well, some time back, that a Nokia commercial characterized the U.S. as a terrorist state. This was a soft commercial. It was a man-in-the-street format where someone in one of the Asian countries, supposedly not an actor, was asked a question on a current topic. The person would give an answer and then, at the end, there would be a message that it was sponsored by Nokia. Nokia put out a series of commercials like this.
I remember very well that in one commercial, where the question had to do with the possibilities of world peace, the answer described the threat to world peace as coming from “terrorist countries” like the “United States”. The commercial was put on the CNN channel I believe. I was shocked. I remember thinking that it is unfortunate that American consumers, who I am sure purchase many Nokia handsets, didn’t have an opportunity to see it. It might make them think twice about what mobile phones they purchase. Unfortunately, at the time, I had no way of recording it. And of course, Nokia would never run that commercial in the U.S.
These companies can deliver whatever marketing message they like, but it would be interesting to see how much political courage they would have if it affected their sales revenues in the U.S market. I, for one, will never drink Absolut again and I would be happy if more examples of this kind of advertising would be presented to the widest possible American audience.
John: Thanks for the example about Nokia. There are plenty of good cell phones out there, just as there are plenty of good vodkas, or rock and roll and film stars for that matter that don’t insult Americans at every opportunity.
Whenever we find examples like this we need to publicize them so others who feel the same as we do will have the information they need to make better choices on which products or services to support with their hard earned American dollars.
Beyond the politics, it’s not a creative ad for Absolut. One of the rules is the shape of the bottle has to be a big part of the ad. here the bottle is a little thing and not even placed in Mexico, but rather in Venezuela. I think it would have been smarter to have Mexico’s map done in cubism so that Mexico (with its modern boundaries) looking like an Absolut bottle.
Maybe they should call their campaign, Absolut Disaster.
Texas Fred remade the ad:
Excellent Texas Fred!
Also cheers to you Mike for bringing it to us here!
Be sure to let Absolut know how successful you think their marketing was:
http://www.absolut.com/iaaw/blog/in-an-absolut-world-according-to-mexico
I’m glad I gave up drinking because I was a faithful consumer of their product. Skyy is a decent vodka produced in the US, hopefully they will see increased sales.
As a follow-up, It’s interesting that, “Vin & Sprit, Absolut’s Sweden-based parent company, will be acquired by French spirit maker Pernod Ricard SA under a deal reached last week.”. I wonder what this has done to the sale price…
Interesting graphic TRM:
Though, I am not sure Texans really want to be identified with a Jack Ass.
Udderchaos: Thanks for that link. Folks can comment at the Absolut site and let them know we won’t be drinking their lighter fluid anymore:
http://www.absolut.com/iaaw/blog/in-an-absolut-world-according-to-mexico
ireally like the ad with the fence. makes me giggle. my neighbers brother-in-laws are all illegal, her husband isn’t, but hey they seriously all drive either a lexus, or an acura. please explain this to me. is it because they don’t pay taxes? makes me mad because my husband and i both work our butts off and we have 3 older cars that are toally paid for. put up a really high fence!!!
#4
Needs some Auto-turrets.
Ace of Spades has this:
And Michelle Malkin is all over this with more on the comments people have sent to Absolut.
I came up with an idea after hearing that the Teran/TBWA firm that came up with this ad campaign was based in Mexico City, and that: “The campaign taps into the national pride of Mexicans, according to Favio Ucedo, creative director of leading Latino advertising agency Grupo Gallegos in the U.S. Ucedo, who is from Argentina, said: ‘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.'”
It’s a plan for Absolut to boost their sales in Spain, and I’m sure the Teran/TBWA folks and Mr. Ucedo from Argentina will both “love it” too! In this new “Absolut World” we have a map of the good old “Greater Spanish Empire” of yesterday. You know, back when Mexico, Central America, and South America (including Ucedo’s Argentina) were all under Spanish Viceroys. I’m sure that the people of Spain will love the idea!
Absolut’s response to this controversy has been weak and weasel-like at best; typical non-apology type apology. Let them reap the economic consequences of their decision, and see whether or not that changes their tune and marketing tactics…
Hey Mike. Iceland and the UK holding out against the Bear.
That’s actually very funny.
Could someone do an ad with the Britsh Empire still intact?
Found this today. It’s even worse than we thought…
http://bobmccarty.com/2008/04/03/veteran-found-guilty-in-mexican-flag-incident/
Flopping Aces — Here’s more related news related to the link in the comment above: On April 3, I launched an effort calling upon New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to PARDON PETER LYNCH immediately. I encourage you and your readers to join the effort today!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080408/us_nm/mexico_absolut_dc
Looks like they are now pulling the add, but the damage is done. Interesting aspects reporting in the article about immigration goals also.
GRINGOS KKK USTEDES PUEDEN ARRASAR CON PAISES ENTEROS Y HASTA APLAUDEN PERO UNA PUBLICIDAD LES SACA TODO SU DOLOR,RECUERDEN,SUS ABUELOS SON INMIGRANTES TAMBIEN!!! Y AMERICA ES UN NOMBRE ITALIANO!!!!MF!!!