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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 2 of 2)
Jim Apr 8th 2008 7:39PM
BIG MISTAKE BY ABSOLUTE. I will NEVER again buy their product. And for all you people out there who think that this is funny It's not. This country is being INVADED! This has got to stop and we need to again be a nation of laws. Period.
steve Apr 9th 2008 3:27AM
I will stop drinking Absolut, not because of my feelings on the immigration debate, but because of their idiotic desire to stir up negative passions and cause trouble just to sell their product.
And by the way, I am a white American that loves Mexicans and their culture. I welcome their legal migration to the US. But illegals are illegal. Just like stealing, drug dealing, and any other crime.
Scott Mason Apr 9th 2008 9:59AM
I made a shelf hanger to hang in stores regarding this ad. Spread the file around.
http://rapidshare.com/files/106111567/Absolut_Boycott.pdf.html
Ivan Raszl Apr 9th 2008 8:08PM
Borrowed interest. Dos Equis Beer has done the same exact ad: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/dos_equis_beer_geography
US Grandma Apr 10th 2008 8:52PM
Absolut can run a different ad & it won't change my buying habits because I don't drink. But I am still offended.
Mexico wasn't "Mexico" until 1821. It was part of Spain. Mexico sold the US a large boarder area for $10 million. I think it was the Gadsten purchase. You have to assume the portions North of the purchased portion were acknowledged as US territory. A larger segment of land was to have been included, but "slavery" complicated the purchase. The Mexican people were not happy with the decision to sell, but US citizens are not always happy with leaders either.
Wars have been fought over boarders.We are TWO nations. We don't need the neutral Swiss to redefine them.
Tony Apr 11th 2008 7:04AM
All of Mexico rightfully belongs to the USA. We easily captured/conquered them after they were foolish enough to start a war with us. The USA was too generous and compassionate, we should have kept it all.
Debbie Apr 14th 2008 8:52AM
Support the country you live in, or live in the country you support!!
legal Apr 13th 2008 10:25PM
The big part of illegal immigration is it is ILLEGAL. There are legal ways to come to the country legally, many from other countries do it all the time (re: India) I don't care about your hardships in getting here, there are people following the process all the time. Once the fence is up, the steady flow will decrease. The economic burden to support illegals is tremendous. (Don't say they pay taxes, most don't pay income tax, maybe sales tax)
A boycot against absolut is useless.