Absolut Vodka Mexican Ad Sparks Controversy in U.S.

This Absolut vodka ad (found here), which ran in Mexico, has caused quite the stir here in the U.S., since it implies than in a perfect world much of the U.S. would still be part of Mexico. A number of groups in the U.S. are boycotting Absolut. This is one of those cases where an ad aimed at once audience (Mexicans) is noticed by another audience it was never meant for.

Similarly, though I could be wrong, I bet most straight male Miller Light drinkers aren't aware of these ads and wouldn't be thrilled with them.

6 comments:

  John Jones

April 14, 2008 at 8:25 AM

The viz. blog has an interesting discussion of this images and others from Absolut ads.

  Anonymous

April 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM

I find it strange that the ad, supposedly aimed at Mexicans, is written in English ("In an Absolut World.")

  Brian Dunbar

April 15, 2008 at 11:14 AM

I find it strange

Why so? I'd venture to say that more Mexicans per capita have at least some proficiency in English than American do in Spanish.

If you want strange, see ads in Japan - where entire chunks of ad copy are English, as are store names and words that are used for common terms but have not been translated.

At least Spanish and English have some kissing-cousin relation. Japanese and English - not so much.

  the unbeatable kid

April 16, 2008 at 8:33 AM

leave it to politicians to be offended by a map of north america from the early 1800s.

  the unbeatable kid

April 16, 2008 at 8:51 AM

oops. when i said politicians, i meant americans. i assumed that only politicians would be so boneheaded to get upset at history.

  Brian Dunbar

April 16, 2008 at 9:00 AM

i meant americans. i assumed that only politicians would be so boneheaded to get upset at history.

There are more than a few Mexicans who recall that the American Southwest belonged to Spain, then Mexico and feel that having 1/3 of your country stolen by a horde of acquisitive Yankees is a little unfair.

Americans are not the only people to get upset at history.