Can an alcoholic beverage be patriotic? Skyy Vodka sure is trying to. After the controversial ad by Absolut Vodka, which you can see here, was retracted, Skyy put out a press release stating that it supports the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut's recent advertising.
"Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America," said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. "To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous."
So, what do you think? Actual passionate statement by offended Americans or sleazy corporate ploy? Whatever the case, Skyy Vodka (which is owned by an Italian company, funny considering they take a swipe at Absolut being Swedish) is a little behind the times, politically. What I would like to know is--does Skyy Vodka support the Treaty of Paris? What about the Treaty of Ghent?
