The marketing industry as a whole can be an unfriendly place. Shops are criticized for decisions on spokespeople, underlying messages, and judgements are made within seconds by the public. But after reading this article in AdAge concerning Georgi Vodka's clamoring for former Governor Spitzer's call girl's "butt," I can't help but feel those same negative feelings.
While this is not nearly as repulsive as the capitalization on tragedy that we saw with purchasing Internet key words in relation to the Virginia Tech shootings to boost website traffic, it certainly doesn't bode well for us. Pushing the envelope is one thing; getting folks to think outside the box is evolutionary; but toying with the idea of launching a Vodka Brand titled "No. 9" after Spitzer's designation by the call-girl service? Putting a twenty-something escort who has come to be associated with lies and betrayal in the American political scene on the back of buses and tops of taxis? That's low.
