Vodka Company Takes Heat Over ‘Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing‘ ’Anti-Semitic’ Billboard
- Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:39pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Critics are up in arms over a vodka advertisement that has been widely regarded as offensive to Jews.
The billboard, which advertises discounted Wódka vodka, reads, “Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing,” a slogan that many believe is intended to invoke stereotypes about Jews. The billboard shows a picture of two dogs. One of them, a chihuahua, is wearing a Christmas hat, while the other, a Afghan, is wearing a yarmulke.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), among others, has asked the company behind the ads to pull them, calling the aforementioned line “crude and offensive” and claiming that it “reinforces anti-Semitic stereotypes.”
“…The billboards evoke a Jewish holiday to imply something that is cheap and of lesser value when compared to the higher value of a Christian holiday,” explains Ron Meier, the ADL’s New York Regional Director. “Particularly with the long history of anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jews and money, with the age-old notion that Jews are cheap, to use the Jewish holiday in dealing with issues of money is clearly insensitive and inappropriate.”
One of the billboards was able to be seen from the West Side Highway in New York City, resulting in calls and complaints to the ADL over the past few days. According to CBS New York’s Evan Bindelglass, the advertisement was removed as of 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday.
The billboard in question was part of a larger campaign with similar, non-religious comparisons. Other ads reportedly read, “Movie Star Quality, Reality Star Pricing“ and ”Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing,” among others.
In addressing the controversy, the marketing company behind the ad initially came to its defense, according to CBS New York. “The inspiration for Hanukkah’s inclusion was anything but anti-Semitic – in fact, we’re likening ourselves to the Jewish holiday,” Brian Gordon of Miami MG said in a statement. “Simply put Hanukkah represents a better value because you get 8 nights for the price of 1 – much like Wodka, more for less.”
“Hopefully this response will help re-focus you on all of the serious places where anti-Semitism does exist – however it doesn’t exist anywhere in our marketing,” he continued.
(H/T: Gawker)
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Comments (79)
Aerocog
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:21pmYou should all feel bad for laughing…I feel bad…
Report Post »Joe Bonham
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:11pmI admit I got a good laugh from that billboard.
Though with that said, anti-semetism still remains a serious problem in the USA… so I think the complaints against the sign are reasonable.
Report Post »HTuttle
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:41pmNot all stereotype humor is bigotry.
Report Post »ehbardin
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:46pmAs a Jew I agree…
Report Post »Oneirishman
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 8:52pmSo if they said “Quanza prices” I would assume it was free cause all black folk steal. Not buying the thin skinned politically correct B S. Very funny add.
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:05pmIt’s just bad taste anyway you look at it.
Yeah, certain nationalities have certain proclivities.
Some care, some don’t.
Good rule
If you wonder if it might offend, dig deeper find something else.
Probable story.
Demografx showed conservative jews didn’t drink poorly-made, high-priced designer vodkas.
Realized all them otter folk who would be irritated didn’t neither.
Target market gots a finger-lickin kick outta irritating people they wouldn’t be invitin over to do shots every time the Cowboys gets a down.
Budget low
Mission Accomplished, bubba!
Y’all get the pix?
Report Post »PROTECTNEXTGEN
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:59pmAs a one-time Ger who went back to Catholicism, I have to say it’s a little offensive but very funny. There are cultural traits of all kinds, and we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. I have never known a Jew, let alone anyone else, who was so frugal he would let someone suffer. This is not a big deal. All these different grievance groups do more harm than good when they jump on this stuff. People tend to ignore them more on the big things, the things in which people are really harmed.
Report Post »afishfarted
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 8:05pmI ‘spose if the uber-sensative can find a reason to call Herman Cain a racist, then I ‘spose they can find anti-semitism when they see Chrsitmas and Hanukkah in the same sentence.
Report Post »MAN, GET A LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Secessionista
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:48pmThis ad is racist against Chihuahuas. I am going to contact my Chihuahua Anti-Defamation representative in the morning. And since it is well-known that mostly women own chihuahuas and mostly hispanics own chihuahuas, this ad is also sexist and racist against people.
I don’t know if there is any lesbian or gay preference to chihuahuas, but I bet this billboard is homophobic as well.
And they obviously hate crackers, too.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:52pmBTW, I used to own an Afghan Hound. A beautiful dog. But when we declared war against Afghanistan in 2001, I had to put her down. I won’t have a traitor in my household.
(SHUT UP, I am just kidding!) (Plus, we never delcared war)
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:17pmAs far as gay-***** preferences toward chihuahuas, we are talking as for pets,right? Never know what those freakazoids are gonna shave and “experiment” with !
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:42pmWe need to stop being offended by every little thing!
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:48pmI’m not offended – I ask one thing – without looking name the Vodka this ad promotes – cute does not always sell product.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:40pmOur culture is pretty sad when “cheap” aka “frugal” is considered an insult. That includes Christian as well as Jewish culture.
People who are frugal are GOOD people. They consume less of the planet’s resources, saving them for others. They leave more to their children and give more to charity, because they have been frugal.
Frugal is not the ‘f’ word, folks.
Being a self-indulgent gluttonous pig like Michelle Obama *is* a sin. Her even greater sin is having a fat ass and promptly forcing OUR kids to eat broccoli in the school cafeteria, as if that somehow transfers the blame for her fat ass onto OUR kids.
IF Jews are cheap, then they should wear that like a badge of honor. If they are not, they should keep their mouths shut and let the rest of the world continue to think so highly of them.
I really don’t know much about Jewish culture, but I do know that Rock-em-Sock-em robots is WAY better than a dradle. There’s not enough Wodka in the world to change that simple fact. ;-)
Report Post »Americaisalwaysrightevenwhenitswrong
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 1:22pmbeing called frugal is offensive when it is consistently used in a negative light, especially often with the meaning of being ripped off or taking advantage of in a business deal. If you aren’t Jewish, you have absolutely no right whatsoever to tell the Jewish population what is and isn’t offensive when people say things about them. And, dreidels are super awesome, thank you very much.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:35pmHezbollah Quality
Hamas Pricing
South Korean Quality
North Korean Pricing
Report Post »KAdams
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:13amUSA pricing.
China quality.
..wait what?
Report Post »LOLReally
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 9:29am@Kadams LOL That was funny!
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:33pmThe lack of a sense of humor & commonsense will be the downfall of this nation!
Report Post »nappy
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:26pmStop the GD whining!!
Report Post »TBrandone
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:24pmIt’s funny,in the news,lots of people talking about it. Everything an add is supposed to do! We all need to be able to laugh at ourselves now an again. I think it’s perfect
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:25pmAmen ! I bet Mel Brooks would have a chuckle at this billboard and he knows a lil’ something about ethnic,religious and/or racial humor ! Come on people let’s not be thin-skinned whiners like the muslims,demoncrats,gay-*****-freak coalition !
Report Post »Bakko Bomma
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:18pmGod made gentiles because somebody needed to pay retail.
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:17pmcould you repeat thht please?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:17pm.
C’mon this is funny……..
Just think if the pic was of Netanyahu kissing Abbas………..
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:16pmIt;s a cute ad, only a kvetch would complain about this.
Report Post »Midwest_Jew
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:12pmErrrr, ahhh I’m a Jew and have no problems with it. Seriously some folks are wound way to tight. Gotta say I like the their chuzpah!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:51amGood to know not everyone is hypersensitive. Thanks for your humor and Happy Thanksgiving.
Report Post »rogerover12
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:08pmHere about the Jewish cowboy. He bought a 44 marked down to a 38.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:28pmGood one!
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:05pmI drink VO
Report Post »SlippedThroughAWormHole
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:03pmI know this is off topic, but is anyone else unable to access this website from theblaze.com URL? Only way I can get in is to use for example: theblaze.com/stories.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:30pmYes, something strange happened Monday on the site, when you enter it was just a blank page???
Report Post »SlippedThroughAWormHole
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 8:09pmYes, a white blank page. I emailed support to see if they knew about it. Got got this response from them: Hello, We apologize for the inconvenience. Our engineers are currently working on a fix.
Report Post »Thank you for your patience. -Erica The Blaze
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 8:58amI had this happen Thursday.
Report Post »Goldenfoxxx
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:02pmDoes the ad mean that Jewish people don’t like vodka? Or is it the word Christmas that is offensive? I see nothing wrong with the ad and I’m not a vodka drinker.
Report Post »Bumr50
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:55pmThis is funny.
Making a fuss over this only downplays REAL hate and racism that exists.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:10pmThat’s the idea. Just like when they make a fuss over a little boy kissing a little girl it is downplaying the serious cases of sexual predators. And, it also hardens the hearts of the children involved in the kissing episode and all who witness it. The whole reaction is inherently evil, and is unto Pharaoh ordering all the sons to be cast into the river.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:15pmDo you see any light here or am I wasting my time? I think I’m wasting my time.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:18pmI’d much rather be hiking in the woods and camping or catching another 10 lb Largemouth Bass.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:48pmI don’t really care. Believe in Christ then it won’t bother you, but I‘d prefer people stop nipping the horse’s heels trying to cause it’s rider to fall backwards.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:00pmAnotehr gnorant “christian” posting on the Blaze. Other than a book of fables its not like you have proof this barn born baby is real? Also its the guy in the red suit with the presents.
Report Post »KAdams
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:19am@encinom:
Prove he wasn’t. As a matter of fact, I believe there are more historical/archaeological artifacts that give witness that Jesus did live, as well as historical texts (besides the Bible) than there are that specifically disprove his existence.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:44pmGo to the ad exec that came up with this “gem”….slap him hard across the head and demand your money back Wodka. He‘s overpaid and you’ve been robbed.
Report Post »Berealalready
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:43pmGet a sense of humor people. I’m Jewish and got a chuckle.
Report Post »patriotj
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:49pmI as a Jew also found this kind of funny. I was not offended and even if I was offended who cares? The company is free to do what it wants to do and if people don‘t like the ads then don’t buy the vodka.
What gets me upset is equating Christmas and Chanukah. Chanukah is NOT a Jewish Christmas and the idea of gift-giving on Chanukah is a modern invention.
Really, people need to get a sense of humor and stop being so sensitive.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:51pmI thought it was pretty funny myself. How many thousands of years are people going to play this offended dilemma? I‘ll offend anyone and if they don’t like it, then they can buck-up.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:56pmI don’t worry about offending people, because over other matters in life (nothing to do with Jews), just speaking the truth offends people. I must be by that definition one of the most offensive people on the planet.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:56pmP.C. has taken the humor out of the country .. time to lighten up and laugh ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uOidKHwA2M
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:00pmAnd I don’t mean I will walk right up to a fat person to say “Gee are you ever fat”, but if they ask I will say “Yeah you sure are fat” because if someone doesn‘t want to hear a persons honest opinion then they shouldn’t ask.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:03pmPlease do not be like intolerant Atheist asking to ban everything … I find lovely dogs images, and for the adjective if the vodka company wants to change easily with very little money they can stick a patch of the same color over the adjectives changing it by “CHOICE” or “PREFERRED”. No need to take out … and we all will be very happy enjoying our beautiful unique Thanksgiving!.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:17pmPlease don’t do as Atheist banning everything … I find lovely dogs images, and for the adjective, the vodka company wants to change easily with very little money. Tthey can stick a patch of the same color over the adjective pricing with a new one as “CHOICE” or “PREFERRED”. No need to take out the whole signal… and we all will be very happy enjoying our beautiful unique Thanksgiving!.
Report Post »