Absolut apologizes for ad

Absolut Vodka apologized Saturday for an ad campaign (4/7/08 RBR #68) depicting the southwestern U.S. as part of Mexico amid angry calls for a boycott by U.S. consumers, reported The AP.

More than a dozen calls to boycott Absolut were posted on michellemalkin.com, a site operated by conservative columnist Michelle Malkin. The ads sparked heated comment on six other websites and blogs.

"In no way was it 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," Absolut said in a statement. “…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, and for that we apologize."

Vin & Sprit, Absolut's parent, is being acquired by French spirits company Pernod Ricard.