Vodka-Maker Absolut Apologizes for Ads

AP via SFGate ^ | 4/8/8 | MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) --

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, were less than ideal for Americans undergoing a border buildup and embroiled in 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.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

“From a country...” (meaning the ad came from Sweden, not that Mexico supported the Nazis, though Mexico was caught in collaboration with the Germans in staging incursions into America.)

[Dr. Sivana]

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.

For the umpteenth time . . . it is NOT an 1830's map. Panama is on it, and that wasn't a separate country until Teddy Roosevelt.

Spain's claim on Oregon was NEVER very serious, either.

[metmom]

LOL!!!

You can’t please everybody.

[SaveTheChief]

No thanks, Absolut. Your ad was certainly not meaningless, as it was designed to appeal to a large number of people who believe much of the U.S. somehow rightfully belongs to Mexico.

Actions have consequences, and I will no longer be drinking anything from Absolut.

[napscoordinator]

ABSOLUT goes gay.

Good Lord they do want to lose money. First McDonalds and now these guys....Ugh!!!

[Lazamataz]

Wonder when this ad will be released???

And this one.

In an Absolut World

[N. Theknow]

Was their apology a real apology or an “if anyone was offended” style BS apology?

[GBA]

Too little, too late. This sort of thing either shows their real beliefs or that they are too stupid to get my business or both.

[meandog]

Absolut World

Confederate States of America

[vietvet67]

[Yossarian]

Here are other Pernod Ricard brands to boycott:

Aberlour Distillery
Austin, Nichols
Ballantine's
Becherovka
Beefeater Gin
Chivas Regal
Crested ten
Havana Club
Jacob's Creek (wine)
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Kahlúa
Malibu Rum
Martell (cognac)
Midleton Very Rare
Montana Wines
Mumm
Paddy Whiskey
Pernod Fils
Pernod Ricard
Redbreast (whiskey)
Seagram
Stolichnaya
The Glenlivet
Tia Maria
User:Robkehr
Wild Turkey (bourbon)
Wyborowa

[bpjam]

Naps, as somebody who appreciates a good Vodka (if you are, you need to make a pilgrimage to Las Vegas to go to the Mandalay Bay hotel and dine at the Russia House and taste some vodka in the cold room. OMG! It’s vodka virvana).

Absolut is really a mediocre vodka at best. It not too expensive which is about its only benefit. If you want an inexpensive vodka, try Svedka instead. But if you want something infinitely smoother try Ketel One, Grey Goose or the beloved Belvedere. Those are all pricier for sure but they can be imbibed at 32 degrees from a shotglass for near vodka perfection.

Oh, and Absolut can kiss my @ss. In an absolut world, Sweden wouldn’t be infested with muzzies who hate them.

[t_skoz]

[B4Ranch]

Boycott Absolute Vodka over Mexico Ad on Lou Dobbs CNN Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oi7JEObPVA

[Proud_USA_Republican]

They already dug the grave too deep. The ad never should of run in the first place. It was created by Some Che worshiping Argentian who lives in California (yahh, he’s a nice little la raza sympathizer but still loves to profit from the heart of evil white-devil capitalism, the USA and take advantage of all this country as to offer) The Absolut PR dept could of seen this coming from a mile away and should of reviewed this thing before making the ad public.
I find the “apology” to be the same non-apology you get from liberals.
“We apologize if some of you are too stupid to understand.”
Only this time its:
“We apologize if some of you patriotic americans are too stupid to understand what an “Absolut world” is.”

[Petronski]

"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..."

That's not an apology. It's a denial.

[Bastiat_Fan]

You know, that would have been a pretty good ad 10 years ago. Just goes to show you the power the internet has in relatively meaningless issues. I mean, come on, its a vodka ad. Is every really that worked up?

[Westbrook]

In Russia, it's spelled Абсолют Водка, if I remember correctly.

If you want to see an "Absolut World", walk the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg at night.

You'll see lots of folks guzzling that swill right out of the bottle on the street corners, in urine soaked clothes that freeze over in winter.

You'll have to hold your nose as you walk by.

Oh, and don't strike a match.

[Niteranger68]

I doubt they will be able to take the gay vodka tiara away from 42 Below.

[Alouette]