Absolut-ly Crazy

April 4th, 2008 Tom Okeefe

absolute mexico ad

Image Source: AbsolutAds.com

To me IN AN ABSOLUT WORLD it would be filled with Grey Goose Vodka. I have mixed feelings with this Ad. Even though Absolut did not intend to offend anyone I can see some taking this ad the wrong way. With the Political Showdown going on right now I can see how this topic can cause some uproar.

Words from Absolut:

In an ABSOLUT World according to Mexico

Posted Friday, April 04, 2008, 5:26:34 PM
The In An Absolut World advertising campaign invites consumers to visualize a world that appeals to them — one they feel may be more idealized or one that may be a bit “fantastic.” As such, the campaign will elicit varying opinions and points of view. We have a variety of executions running in countries worldwide, and each is germane to that country and that population.

This particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility. In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal.

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.

By Paula Eriksson, VP Corporate Communications, V&S Absolut Spirits

Tim Nudd from AdWeek posted:

An Absolut ad from Mexico City that shows Mexico taking over a large portion of the United States? Oh, that’s not going to go over well up here. Not at all. And sure enough, it isn’t. “Absolut-ly outrageous,” says Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit. “Absolut-ly insulting,” adds Brian Ledbetter. (At least they’re not so enraged that they forget to pun on the Absolut name.) Rather than complain, Patrick Ishmael over at The News Bucket whips up his own altered map, on which Absolut’s homeland of Sweden gets totally hosed by Finland.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Already I’m starting to see some other alliterative ADs appearing.

absolutworld

image source: Michelle Malkin

What are your thoughts on it? Do you think they will loose in the market place or gain?

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Posted in Advertising, News, Vodka |
  • This is as controversial as it gets. I know this is like setting up a conversation by insulting someone into a heated argument. It's an age old trick you throw a loaded bullet at someone to force them to talk about it. Regardless of what one thinks, this is what politicians do on a verbal level during the debates. The issue here is Abosut'ly about bad puns and raising word of mouth. I give them 5/5 for getting under people's skin and teasing people at the same time. And yes I think the alternative ad is hysterical as well, so for the response ad I think that would be great too. I'd especially like it if they just did it to mess with people's opinions. I don't see this ad going over well with the US state debt though lol or The Terminator over in CA.
  • Why people are getting upset over this? Vodka ads are not meant to be taken seriously anyways… or perhaps I should drink Mikes Hard Lemonade and check my garage for a Ferrari, then bedroom for a hottie… and if they are not there, cry and moan about it on the internet. Let’s move on people, there are more important things to waste breath (bandwidth) on.
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