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E-Mail Response from Absolut Vodka
E-mail from V & S Absolut Spirits | April 9, 2008 | Paula Eriksson, VP Corp. Comm.

Posted on 04/09/2008 5:07:16 AM PDT by Maceman

Thank you for your email.

We appreciate that you contact us to share your opinion. At ABSOLUT we are used to active reactions to our advertising, and we want our consumers to share their opinion - positive or negative. We have a policy to always reply to all emails individually, but due to the large amount of emails concerning the In an ABSOLUT World Mexico ad, we are unfortunately not able to answer all emails individually at this moment.

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 many 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The ad has been withdrawn as of Friday April 4th and will not be used in the future.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 al! tering 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.

Again, we are very sorry that we cannot reply to your email, if you want to continue the discussion and share your opinion with us and others, please go to our blog www.absolut.com/iaaw/blog

Our sincere apologies,

Paula Eriksson

VP, Corporate Communication

On behalf of;

V & S Absolut Spirits


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: belongsinchat; unsourcedemail
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To ensure that we avoid future similar mistakes, we are adjusting our internal advertising approval process for ads that are developed in local markets.

I hope this means somebody got fired. (It probably doesn't.)

1 posted on 04/09/2008 5:07:17 AM PDT by Maceman
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To: Maceman

Hey Absolut, bite me.
Guess I’ll drink one of the other hundred or so Vodkas on the market. One that maybe supports America.
Swedish jerks go kiss russias butt some more.


2 posted on 04/09/2008 5:10:08 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
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To: Maceman

I am with you. Shows a stupid lack of sensitivity on the company’s part. I will be conducting an Absolute boycott until I am sure they have learned their lesson. Stoly anyone?


3 posted on 04/09/2008 5:11:43 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (John McCain - The Manchurian Candidate? http://www.usvetdsp.com/manchuan.htm)
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To: Maceman

The rest of the world always seems to point the finger at us not understanding them and their various cultures. In this case, Sweden, apparently, had no idea of what is going on here. Nothing like insulting perhaps your best customer.


4 posted on 04/09/2008 5:13:31 AM PDT by GOP_Proud (Disgruntled about it all. None of the above.)
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To: mad_as_he$$

I missed the ad. I used to drink it..


5 posted on 04/09/2008 5:13:34 AM PDT by nikos1121 (typical white person)
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To: GOP_Proud
In this case, Sweden, apparently, had no idea of what is going on here. Nothing like insulting perhaps your best customer.

Actually, from the response, it appears that the ad was developed in Mexicom and that no one at V&S ever even saw it. The response says they've changed that process now. (Of course, that doesn't excuse it, and gives a really telling picture of the Mexican public sentiment.)

6 posted on 04/09/2008 5:18:10 AM PDT by Maceman
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To: Maceman
In no way was the ad meant to offend or disparage, or advocate an al! tering of borders, lend support to any anti-American sentiment, or to reflect immigration issues.

And just what WAS it meant to reflect?? Do they think their customers are dumb as posts?!

Not that I drink the stuff, but if I did I'd certainly be switching.

Sounds like a head rolled at Absolut advertising maybe.

7 posted on 04/09/2008 5:20:52 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (I am a proud supporter of Israel.)
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To: Maceman
Worthless thread without this picture:
8 posted on 04/09/2008 5:21:45 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Maceman
At ABSOLUT we are used to active reactions to our advertising

Active reactions? That's what they call it when 3/4 of America is boycoting their product with promises of never using them again?

9 posted on 04/09/2008 5:22:45 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: Maceman
I would assume that major bar and restaurant chains are their biggest customers (of course the patrons have to ask for it) but wouldn't it be great if Outback, Tony Romas, Carrabas, Chili's et al would stop carrying it as ‘top shelf’?

my 2 cents

10 posted on 04/09/2008 5:23:57 AM PDT by poobear (tagline is on a coffee break!)
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To: nikos1121

See post 8.


11 posted on 04/09/2008 5:24:12 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (John McCain - The Manchurian Candidate? http://www.usvetdsp.com/manchuan.htm)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thanks for the picture


12 posted on 04/09/2008 5:24:40 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (I am a proud supporter of Israel.)
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To: Maceman

That first sip of Belvedere when I get home next week is going to taste that much sweeter because it isn’t Absolut.


13 posted on 04/09/2008 5:26:14 AM PDT by Allegra (Tehran delenda est)
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To: GOP_Proud

I think Sweden absolutely DID have an idea of what is going on here, but perhaps they HATE America and wanted to stick it to us. Just a thot — they are total lefties, hate Bush, etc.

On the other hand, they have HUGE Muzzie problems in Scandinavia, due to the fact that they have invited them in, supported them financially and etc. The Muzzies return the favor by raping their women and burning ‘burbs.

Pot/ kettle.


14 posted on 04/09/2008 5:29:49 AM PDT by bboop (Stealth Tutor)
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To: Maceman

a non-appology at best.

They are clueless.


15 posted on 04/09/2008 5:33:13 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Maceman
We acknowledge the reactions and debate and want to apologize for the concerns this ad caused.

Huh? Your sorry about the concerns this ad caused? What, exactly, does that mean?

I'm sick and tired of this type of "apology" in the public forum lately. That's not an apology. A real apology would be something like "We acknowledge that what we did was stupid and uncalled for. We really screwed up and we apologize for it."

16 posted on 04/09/2008 5:35:05 AM PDT by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)
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To: Maceman

I can only conclude that they are just plain stupid then. Still a good reason to not partake of their product.


17 posted on 04/09/2008 5:37:21 AM PDT by CSM (Kakistocracy: Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.)
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To: Maceman
This was not our intention

Bullsh*t.
18 posted on 04/09/2008 5:40:32 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (feh)
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To: bboop

Right. Sweden is pretty far-left. They are mostly socialists over there and like all socialist they hate the United States.

I’m certain that they knew exactly what they were doing when they made that ad with the purpose of pissing off Americans.


19 posted on 04/09/2008 5:42:30 AM PDT by faithinchaos (eternal pessimist, recovering optimist)
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To: bboop

In the EU there is a huge “kill all the americans” sentiment so the indians can take the land back.

Essentially a erase america attitude.

There is NO WAY this was an accident or even an oops. You are SPOT ON that this was a HUGE gigle for the higher ups of Absolut.

This is why just pulling the ad is not enough.

Absolute has become french wine sewer fill.


20 posted on 04/09/2008 5:44:10 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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