Miller Apologizes for Folsom Street Poster

[BadRock]

JP, Did you have something to do with this?



Here is the official press release and statement from the Miller Brewing Co. website.

MILWAUKEE (October 26, 2007) – Miller Brewing Company today issued a formal apology for the offense caused by the use of Miller brand logos on a poster promoting the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. The company said it has taken action to ensure that such an incident will not happen again.

Miller has just completed an exhaustive audit of its marketing procedures for approving local marketing and sales sponsorships, and it is implementing plans to tighten its compliance procedures. The company has received assurances from its local distributor in San Francisco and from Folsom Street Events that future marketing materials and event activities will fully comply with Miller’s marketing policies and procedures.

“We deeply regret that we did not adhere to our own policies with regard to the Folsom Street Fair,” said Miller Senior Vice President Nehl Horton. “We apologize to everyone we offended as a result. We hope people will forgive us for this serious error and have confidence we will not repeat it.”

Miller did not have the opportunity to review or approve the Folsom Street Fair poster, but accepts full accountability for this serious mistake.

“Miller Brewing was never afforded the opportunity to review our Fair poster before it was printed and distributed,” said Andy Copper, Board President of Folsom Street Events. “The approval was made by a third party without Miller’s knowledge and consent.”

Copper also issued an apology on behalf of the organization which distributed the controversial poster.

“I would like to apologize to anyone who felt that the image was disrespectful to their religious beliefs,” said Copper. “No malicious intent was involved.”

In addition to issuing a formal public apology today, Miller sent letters of apology to Catholic Archbishops George H. Niederauer of San Francisco and Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee.

“Like all major brewers, Miller seeks to market respectfully to a wide and diverse array of consumers,” Horton concluded. “But when one group actively disrespects another, we cannot support its events and activities.”

Good Lord! The Miller marketing team is composed of some of the most ignorant people I have ever met. I mean the $1 million fake ticket and now this.

[Crut]

I think you left out that your the one in the black dog mask:D jk

Leave it to miller to do something like this. Right up JP's alley though;)

[BrewBum]

I think you left out that your the one in the black dog mask:D jk

Leave it to miller to do something like this. Right up JP's alley though;)

I personally don't think Miller did anything wrong. Just a bunch of ultra conservatives getting they pants in a bunch over nothing. There are so many parodies of the last supper out there what does it matter that there is another one. As they are such a big company they had to back down but it is ridiculous in my mind.

Who cares if the parody a painting by Da Vinci, it is not like he was at the actual last supper to have any idea what it was like any way. Maybe Da Vinci's was a parody?

I hate censorship!!

[BadRock]

I hate censorship!!

I agree! However, painting a parody of the last supper implies that later the black homo will be crucified. Is that what they are really trying to sell? Why isn't anyone up in arms about that? The lack of originality is disgusting!

[bub]

I totally agree Brew Bum!

And I'm not entirely sure but the Blond in the leather "cop" outfit in back... I think she wants me.
BUB

[Pseudolus]

I hate censorship!!

I hate rhubarb!

But neither rhubarb nor censorship have anything to do with this story.

[BrewBum]

I hate censorship!!

I hate rhubarb!

But neither rhubarb nor censorship have anything to do with this story.

An ultra right wing group forcing an apology out of Miller Lite for sponsoring this event with this poster isn't censorship?? Just because the gov't didn't censor it doesn't mean it isn't censorship. The bottom line is Miller Lite should not have been forced to apologize for this.

It isn't censorship by the gov't but it is censorship by the people and don't think for second those people don't have political clout. Think MADD and prohibitionists... If a group starts forcing out our free speech the next step is they try to get the government to do it. I just don't like the precedent this sets.

Ron Paul 2008!!

[Bugeater]

This is quickly turning into a discussion that should be in the off topic area. That said, I don't think Miller should have had to apologize for this poster though I completely understand why they did. The bad publicity those bigoted idiots could have caused would have cost Miller a bunch of sales. So called moral/religious issues aside, money talks.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company