Posted on 07/02/2009 9:07:29 AM PDT by FromLori
When a $2.5billion international venture is being planned you might expect there to be hours of debate over what to call it.
Yet branding is not the forte of some companies, it seems.
Russian Energy giant Gazprom has inadvertently walked into a racism row with the announcement of its joint venture in Nigeria - Nigaz.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Nigerian counterpart Umaru Yar'Adua last week agreed the deal to build refineries, pipelines and gas power stations in Africa's most populous nation.
The name is meant to be an amalgamation of 'Nigeria' and 'Gazprom', pronounced 'nye-gaz', but it can be read phonetically as an offensive term for those of black African origin.
'How more derogatory can it be. Let's join forces in making our government rename this,' said the creator of 'Nigerians No Nigaz', a group on Facebook.
Many comments on the blunder were from white bloggers.
But others mocked the mistake - one African-American suggested a playlist of songs from U.S. hip-hop artists for the Nigaz launch party.
One Nigerian in Lagos said: 'White people are making too much of this.
'As long as the Russians pay us, they can call it what they like.'
That’s funny right there, don’t care who ya are.
Can’t make this stuff up.
*snort*
Can’t make this up.
LOL.
“Nigaz”
It’s a gas rapping joint venture.
Used to work in a marketing research firm for awhile. Companies pay big bucks, and I’m talking six and seven figures, to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen. One famous branding error was what “No va” means in Spanish with reference to the automobile by that name. This one’s worse, but as long as they’re not trying to market in the States, who cares?
ELAINE: What’s the name of the new company gonna be?
BECK: Moland Spring.
ELAINE: (making a face) “Moland”?
ARONSON: Yes, we combined Morgan and Poland.
ELAINE: Yeah, I know, but... “Moland”? I wouldn’t drink anything called “Moland”.
ARONSON: But it was Mr. Pitt’s idea.
ELAINE: Oh! Well, ah, what’s in a name? I mean, water’s water. Right?
ARONSON: (to Beck) We’ve got to do something about that name.
What about the rock group Plain White T’s?
I am offended and outraged!
The Plain “Whiteys”?
Term of endearment....nigaz
I hope they use some hot Rooski models as spokespeople we can oogle over.
If they come to America, will their signes read “’N’-word Gas?”
Aiight, day won’t be no raciss gas cupnee jokes up in hera.
Why would it be any business of any American over what this NIGERIAN/RUSSIAN venture is called?
“Niggas” is a uniquely AMERICAN word.
Most companies pay research firms to make sure this name problem doesn’t occur but Gazprom was too niggardly to pony up.
People need to get over themselves.
I’m pretty sure it’s pronounced “NYE-gahz”, not “NIH-guz.”
Oh no you din't!
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