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Absolut Vodka causes a stir with Mexico ad
Absolut Vodka is known round the world for its creative ad campaigns. With the most recent campaign however, the Swedish company managed to cause an uproar from U.S. consumers who threatened to boycott the vodka after seeing the "In An Absolut World" ad which depicted the Southwestern U.S. as a part of Mexico.The ad only ran in Mexico, but when it was posted to a conservative blog, it began to spark a heated debate, feeding on the controversial issues of illegal immigration from Mexico to the U.S.
In response, Absolut pointed out that the ad was designed for a Mexican audience and intended to recall "a time which the population of Mexico might feel was more ideal."
Swedes like to stick to their neutral roots, and Absolut ended up releasing an apology. "We are sorry if we offended anyone. . . As a global company, 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 US -- that ad might have been very different," stated Paula Eriksson, Vice President of Vin & Sprit. Can't wait to see what the American version of the ad campaign might be.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, North America, Sweden, Mexico, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Apr 7th 2008 1:39PM
Not to say that the Mexican American war was justified or fair but neither the Spanish Colonial Administration nor the Newly Independent Mexican government really cared about the wastelands of the north. That's why they were so lightly defended.
Up to the 20th century it was perfectly natural for a country to take another's land if the other did not give a disincentive to prevent the taking or want to keep the land, eg., Russia took Siberia from the Mongols but sold Alaska.
Frankly most people believe that if the U.S. had not take over the land , things wouldn't be that much different in Mexico than they are now.
Pining for a Reconquista is like the Greeks wanting Constantinople (Istanbul) back.
Ed Apr 7th 2008 7:32PM
There probably is some truth to the fact that land now America belonged to Mexicans. I was not affended by the ad. I really don't have a reply pro or con, however, I do wonder why it has been such a secret as to what the Alamo was really about. The Mexicans were against slavery and the State of Texas wanted to continue the practice of slavery, which was why the battle at the Alamo was. I just read this in a historical reading and would like to hear from others on it's validity. I believe just like land was taken from the Natives of America, so was Land taken from Mexicans, absolutely!
steve Apr 8th 2008 8:25PM
I am very offended by the Absolut ad, because having been to Sweden numerous times, I know how much they dislike Americans. We should all pass on drinking Absolut, there are so many other good brands out there like Ketel One, Ciroc, Smirnoff, Stoli, etc. Not a boycott of anger or hate, that would be lowering ourselves to the level the Swedes have taken, just a firm and noticeable response to brand that has unnecessarily stuck their nose into a debate that is very passionate on both sides. No reason for this type of ad. Americans can't let this go without a dignified, yet effective response.
norma Apr 7th 2008 4:41PM
Recently I purchased a bottle of Absolut Vokka as a gift . I will never again purchase your Vodka. What were you thinking??!!! Perhaps the next ad you run can change Sweden's boarders.
Hector Apr 7th 2008 4:51PM
How exactly does an historical fact become an insult?. That used to be the territorial distribution until Mexico lost a war with the US. I find it more agravating to Mexicans rather than americans. Or probably the insult is that history is not taught in american schools..
I find the whole issue of this being an insult funny. It's like saying that the primitive human fossils found in africa are an insult to us modern homo sapiens.
it is just a historical FACT.
DaddyW Apr 7th 2008 6:49PM
It's not funny because of the Reconquista movement. Without that, we'd all smile and down another shot.
Google the phrase "Chicano nationalists claim were stolen by the United States and must be reconquered" to get a sense of what's behind this brew-ha-ha.
Hector Apr 7th 2008 7:39PM
DaddyW: Well, over here, south of the border, we chuckle at the reconquista brew-ha-ha. It has no more public support than the most radical and uneducated communists, which is to say the least, laughable.
I see it more as an idea to foster cohesion amongst latino gangs, at least the most politicized at that. I've heard of MECHA and some other organizations calling for Reconquista, but then again, this does nothing but make their otherwise irrelevant voice heard.
Thats what we call 3rd storie ceiling dogs. They bark a lot, and theyre annoying. but that's about it. Harmless barking from a high ceiling.
Regards, and don't worry too much about reconquista. It's more of a pretext to justify otherwise irrational hatred towards immigrants, illegal or not.
charles Apr 7th 2008 5:16PM
I have permanantly crossed your Vodka off of my shopping list. Try selling it to the 12 million illegals now in the US.
Alfred Apr 8th 2008 2:39AM
charles you little faggit! there is more than 200 million illegals in the usa ! they come from europe you dumb fuck!
White people are the only illegals on this country !!!!!!!!
That hurts more than an ad, right asshole!
Alia Apr 8th 2008 12:02PM
Oh, Get A Grip!!!
You probably shouldn't be drinking anyway, one less maniacal drunk bigot, so what's it going to hurt that you crossed Absolut off of your shopping list. Look at they press they are getting. I personally like the add. It's a historical fact and the ethnocentrism in this country in like a disease lest we forget they we are all descended from immigrants and refugees with the exception of those that were forced to come here like my ancestors!
Penn Apr 7th 2008 7:15PM
Absolutly No More US Sales
Hawk Apr 8th 2008 8:47PM
Obsolut-lynot;
i have been an Absolut drinker for the pass 10 years...not any more!! after this bullsh_t add and ideology I will never buy another bottle......hey, there are many other great brands out there!!Take your creativeness and stuff it in your cocktail!
FU & Mexico!
Remember the Alamo!??
-Hawk
Anthony Apr 7th 2008 8:49PM
I have already,personally, spoken to several liquor store owners urging them not to buy your product.
Sell your product to the Mexicans.We're going to show you what an"Absolut" boycott really is.
Richard Apr 7th 2008 11:38PM
Hector,
I respectfully suggest that you're perhaps making a mistake when you insist: "It's more of a pretext to justify otherwise irrational hatred towards immigrants, illegal or not."
I know many gringos who are quite concerned about both the levels of immigration from Mexico and the characteristics of much of that immigration. As a nation of immigrants, we are used to bringing in people from all over the world. But there has usually been an effort by those immigrants to participate in the larger society.
In the case of large numbers of Mexicans we find little or no effort to learn English, no social participation, and amongst far too many, a defiant hostility towards the larger society. I'm very involved in both education and law enforcement issues in my local city government and I'm very aware of the problems.
In my community there are thousands of mexicans here illegally, driving without licenses, without insurance, and so forth. Worse still, the dynamics are such that we are not able to get these immigrants to integrate into society; instead they are heading for what appears to be a permanently disenfranchised and isolated underclass.
I lived in Latin America for nearly 1/3 of my life and I speak Spanish and generally get along very well with Mexicans across the social and economic spectrum. My wife is Latina and my children are named Esteban, Juan, and Maricruz. I can say with sincerity that my concerns are not racist or irrational in origin.
The current situation is not helpful to the United States and is far from ideal for many of the people who are migrating here. And, I believe, it's extremely detrimental to Mexico. Societies that export their greatest resources because they are unable to make use of them do not become great civilizations.
Hector Apr 8th 2008 2:07AM
Richard:
I must say I agree with you. and I applaud your entering into the shades of gray that the immigration phenomena casts over our societies as a whole, both mexican and american.
There is a distinction between the Absolute (pun intended) hatred of immigrants, which is irrational by definition, and the genuine and rational concern over the magnitude of the problem.
You clearly point out that the issue is with "much" of that immigration, which is, in fact, disenfranchised. And they find themselves there, with no licenses, or insurance or credit records, or bank accounts or anything that would help them integrate into productive, tax-paying mainstream society, let alone legal residency or citizenship.
I found myself at that end of the stick: I am a qualified aerospace engineer, i was offered a job that allowed me to work legally in the industry, but after 9/11, keeping it for long was out of the question.
Without the ability to even qualify for a driver's license, the whole path to formal economy is bypassed and you end up without any of the minimal benefits of a formal economy, marginalized to a cash-only, do-business-with-those-who-risk-it underclass.
Perhaps asking for a pathway to citizenship is too much to ask as of now, but maybe making the rules to integrate into formal economy a little more flexible would be a great incentive to learn english, and give up irrational hostility towards a society that at least lives up to the motto of "american dream" by giving immigrants a chance to live it.
btw, i eventually returned to mexico, and i am now a partner in a modest engineering bureau that does business with my former employer in CA. I could be making 10x what im making now over there, but the assurance of formality outweighs the ambition, at least for me.
Regards...
Alfred Apr 8th 2008 2:44AM
I will now start buying absolut! never drank it before, but my friends and I will have to start! So fuck all you boycotters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JJ13 Apr 8th 2008 11:23AM
Alfred- all you are doing is showing this forum that you're an uneducated, probably illegal and definitely moronic. Keep your comments to yourself as no one wants to hear them. You have it wrong, the Europeans that moved to this country, learned English and assimilated. What you want is quite different...a free handout. Now, just go away and go ahead and buy your Absolut Vodka with the money you've taken from American workers.
1/8 Pole May 27th 2008 5:03PM
call me retarded, but I do'nt understand what the problem is. I had a lap dance in my favorite bar in ohi0 just last night with a cute girl from mexico. I gave her $2 for the dance and 50ยข for a tip, and bouhgt her a absolute & Dr pepper. she liked it, but now i'm starting to itch a bit if you know what I mean.
chevatex Apr 8th 2008 9:43AM
Everyone keeps saying that Americans hate immigrants which is a sweeping misconception. Another effort by the community of illegals to spark racist debates against Americans. Actually, the United States of America stopped being a nation of "immigrants" when we declared independence. How else do you think we formed a nationality. While immigration continued into the United States and still does, it amazes me that the minuted people get here, they feel entitled to tell us a litany of our faults and how bad our country is which makes me wonder why they tried to hard to get here in the first place if they don't like Americans or America.
But I believe Absolute did the ad on purpose to fall in line with the upcoming marches planned by illegals in May who once again are going to demonstrate against America and Americans...once again, they are going to try to bring America to its knees since they know that they have a voice in Barak Obama who says it is no big deal he sat and listened to anti-american hate speeches from his preacher and his known association with William Ayers. He also has voiced the prepared speech by La Raza and La Raza is waging a campaign against America. So, why not..Absolute is just doing their job in showing how America is going to one day cease to exist because Americans did nothing. Like is just an innocent ad...yeah, right!!!!
D.R. Apr 9th 2008 4:24PM
I thought it was a Britney World. Uh, I think I have dishes to wash or something MORE IMPORTANT TO DO!