Absolut Vodka has an ongoing ad campaign called "In an Absolut World", wherein they portray images of the way things would be if the ultra-cool, with-it people who drink their vodka had their way.
Apparently, that includes the "Reconquista" of the American West by Mexico. One of the ads shows a redrawn map of North America, with Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, and Colorado, as well as parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oklahoma, ALL as part of Mexico.
The ad was only run in Latin America, but the agency was stupid not to think it would be spread all over the internet lickety damned split. Even (or should I say especially) Mexican-Americans find it offensive.
And if the ad itself wasn't bad enough, check out their half-assed attempts at explaining and apologizing -- apparently in response to the huge backlash.
Sorry, Absolut, too little, too late. As one commenter pointed out, perhaps Swedish-based Absolute should run an add where Scandinavia is part of the Soviet Union, or where Sweden's neighbor, Norway, is still occupied by Nazi Germany. Wouldn't those be a hoot? The money quote is in the comments of an unrelated post in the Absolut World Blog:
OK, Sweden may have sold out a few countries in World War II, but it was not
meant to offend or disparage, or advocate an altering of borders, lend support
to any anti-Allied sentiment, or to reflect immigration issues. They were truly
sorry and understand that the action has offended several nations. This was not
their intention.To ensure that Sweden will avoid future similar mistakes, they
are adjusting their internal foreign army approval process for invasions that
are developed in local markets. This is a genuine and sincere apology, and
super-serious.
My first reaction was that not only will I boycott Absolut personally, but I will see to it that when I own my own restaurant some day, neither it nor any product owned by its parent company is carried in my bar, and I was pleased to read a comment on Absolut's website from at least one other restauranteur who feels the same way. Thanks to loyal reader and fellow blogger Patrick at Born Again Redneck, I have a handy list:
Spirits
Absolut
Seagram’s gin
100 Pipers
Amaro Ramazzoti
Clan Campbell
Imperial
Pastis 51
Ararat
Wild Turkey
Royal Salute
Tia Maria
Suze
Royal Stag
Ruavieja
Wyndham Estate
Powers
Campo Viejo
Hiram Walker
Passport
Café de Paris
Becherovka
Don Pedro
Olmeca
Aberlour
Wisers
Montilla
Presidente
Soho/Dita
Pernod
Wyborowa
Something Special
Wine-based aperitifs and fortified wines
Ambassadeur
Bartissol
Dubonnet
Sandeman Port
Byrrh
La Ina
Australian wines
Jacob’s Creek
Wyndham Estate
Argentinean wines
Graffigna
Etchart
Colón
Santa Silvia
Balbi
Mumm Espumante
Other wines
Almaden (Brazil)
Domecq (Mexico)
Tamada (Georgia)
Old Tbilisi (Georgia)
Long Mountain (South Africa)
Champagnes
Mumm
Perrier-Jouët
Sparkling wines
Jacob’s Creek (Sparkling)
Café de Paris
Lindauer
Mumm Napa
Mumm Espumante
Carrington
New Zealand wines
Montana
Stoneleigh
Lindauer
Church Road
Spanish wines
Campo Viejo
Marques de Arienzo
Siglo
Azpilicueta
Ysios
Viña Alcorta
Palacio de la Vega
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