After few days here we have the English version of press release about Absolut Colors which appeared on press.absolut.com. Thanks to Frank for finding it! I picked up the major parts:
“ABSOLUT COLORS builds on our history as a brand that has always encouraged people to be who they are”, says Nina Gillsvik, International Brand Director ABSOLUT at V&S Absolut Spirits. “Almost thirty years ago, when our company decided to do our bit in supporting the rights of the individual, we were considered bold. Today we can look back on those days and that decision with pride. For us, ABSOLUT COLORS is a natural way to continue to inspire people to let their true colors shine and be proud of who they are.”
ABSOLUT COLORS will be introduced in May, with the launch of a limited edition package inspired by the rainbow flag where the text on the bottle carries a message on embracing diversity. Apart from the special edition bottle, the ABSOLUT COLORS initiative will also include a limited edition cocktail book – the ABSOLUT COLORS Cocktail Collection. The book is a stylish guide to colorful drinks, based on the six colors of the rainbow flag.
311,000 ABSOLUT COLORS bottles have been ordered worldwide, ensuring that this ABSOLUT packaging will be available to all consumers who want to celebrate the rainbow flag and the LBGT movement.
In 1978, Gilbert Baker of San Francisco designed and made a flag with six stripes representing the six colors of the rainbow as a symbol of gay and lesbian community pride. Slowly the flag took hold, and today it is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers, and is flown in lesbian and gay pride marches worldwide. This year the flag acts as a symbol of progress made, and friends of the movement are invited to join the celebrations.
The limited edition ABSOLUT COLORS bottles and cocktail book will be available in travel and duty free stores as well as in retail stores in selected markets. Funds raised from the sales of the bottle and book, and also funds from an online campaign and initiatives on local markets will be donated to InterPride, The International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Pride Coordinators, to support the organization’s worldwide networking, education and mutual support of member LGBT Pride Organizations. The Pride movement has three main premises: that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity, that sexual diversity is a gift, and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.
“We are honored to be a part of the ABSOLUT COLORS initiative. ABSOLUT has proven to be a longterm and reliable supporter of the LGBT community, says Russell Murphy, co-president of InterPride. “We will use the funds to support economically disadvantaged members of our organization so that they can take part in our educational program and become better equipped for carrying out the Pride message on local level.”
New “second skin” for Absolut Vodka to celebrate 30 years of Rainbow Flag - the symbol for all gays and lesbians - is going to be available soon (July 15, 2008). Read more in this Swedish press release. I couldn’t find anything in English. For information thanks to Mr. B.
Collecting of limited edition bottles of Absolut Vodka and their “second skin” covers is a new phenomenon. Some of them are very hard to get and you can see the prices on eBay are going very high. For example 2 Brasilian bottles or 3 Absolut Chrome bottles from France. I just found one forum where these collectors discuss their collections and I realy like collections like the one bellow this post. Btw. I never realised that there are always 3 different sizes of the “second skin” covers. Did you know that? :) What do you think about these limited edition bottles? Do you like to collect them? Let me know in the comments.
Apparently Absolut has prepared a Huge campaign based on Absolut Greensaver (limited edition bottle from Greece) and the vision of it’s creator. There will be a Greensaver squad in several places of Athens and Thessaloniki providing recycled products to people, such as pencils and notebooks, posters and ecological bags. They will also give tips and info about how everyone can contribute to the protection of the enviroment. There is a website too with info about this whole campaign: www.absolutgreensaver.com.
If you want to get this limited edition bottle you can bid here on eBay.
The ad with Mexican borders “In An Absolut World” will never be published again so maybe it’s good chance to buy this ad here on eBay. Anyway everyone in the USA talks about Absolut these days and the time will show if activities like BoycottAbsolut.com will lower sales in the States.
The distillers of Sweden’s Absolut vodka have withdrawn an advertisement run in Mexico that angered many U.S. citizens by idealizing an early 19th century map showing chunks of the United States as Mexican.
Although it was not shown in the United States, U.S. media outlets picked up on the ad, and after a barrage of complaints, Absolut’s maker said on Sunday the ad campaign would cease.
Defending the campaign last week, Absolut maker Vin & Spirit said the ad was created “with a Mexican sensibility” and was not meant for the U.S. market.
“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,” a spokeswoman wrote on Absolut’s Web site.
There is a new ad from the latest series: “In an Absolut World True Taste Comes Naturally”. After Absolut Pears and Absolut Citron ads there is a new Absolut Mandrin ad Playboy (USA), May 2008, pg.35. (Thanks Kiet for the information).
One more ad appeared on eBay. I didn’t see this ad yet. It’s called “IAAW Extravagance has a Dark Side” Do you know where this ad appeared? Right now you can get it here on eBay.
In Greece there is a new IAAW ad and the new limited edition bottle designed by the Greek artist Konstantinos Vitais is on the way. The ad is already here on eBay.
