Dr. Pepper Supports Chinese Democracy. Oh, the Horror!

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Uh Oh. Another PR faux paux. Well, at least according to Adrants reader Rich who wasn't too pleased with a recent press release from Ketchum for Cadbury Schweppes which exclaimed, "Dr. Pepper Supports Chinese Democracy." Predictably, Dr. Pepper was doing no such thing. It was just another publicity ploy.

Rich explains, writing, "Ketchum, Dr. Pepper's PR agency, issued this online press release with the headline 'Dr. Pepper Supports Chinese Democracy.' Reading the press release reveals that, no, Dr. Pepper is not supporting the Tibetans risking their lives and well-being for democracy; rather, they are running a publicity stunt surrounding the long-delayed Guns 'n' Roses record, 'Chinese Democracy."' Ha ha ha! Bet you thought we were talking about dying Tibetans!"

Rich continues, "I called the press contact, Chris Kooluris, both to confirm the story was real and to tell him I thought it was a crappy, low-class and unethical move. I also called Cadbury Schweppes consumer relations and told them the same. I encourage your readers to do likewise."

Not sure if it's as big a deal as Rich makes out to be. After all, we're sure guilty of writing hundreds of headlines that, shall we say, are written in a way that tease the click. But if you are miffed by Ketchum's horrific trickery, Rich has provided us with contact info if you feel the need to vent. Ketchum's Chris Kooluris: 646-935-4098. Cadbury Schweppes consumer relations: 972-673-7000. Have at it.

Of course, this entire this could just be a ploy. Maybe Rich works for Ketchum. Maybe we're just getting duped here. Maybe...oh who gives a shit.

by Steve Hall    Mar-26-08   Click to Comment   
Topic: Promotions   

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Comments



Comments

Wait, in the post you're mixing me, Rich, up with the Ketchum PR guy, Chris. And, yeah, I've written headlines that tease the click, too, but this is exploiting a tragic current event for a click. Oh, wait, but we're Americans - the struggles of the world's poor and oppressed are grist for our mill, and the punchlines to our jokes. Plus, we're in advertising; we're not supposed to have ethics. Stupid naive me.

Posted by: Rich on March 26, 2008 4:01 PM

You are so freakin wrong! This is a genius p.r. move, did you say you were in advertising..you suck! Kudos to Dr. Pepper for awaiting reaL MUSIC AND GENIUS TALENT THAT IS SO LACKING in music today. Worlds most talented musician,singer,songwriter+plus a damn good soft drink! PERFECT! You Rock Chris Kooluris!

Posted by: Teresa Barajas on March 26, 2008 11:54 PM

Um, did ANYONE ever hear that awful screatching from the 80's called GNR? And Dr. Pepper wants to re release that hell on us again? Why?!

Posted by: Matt on March 27, 2008 11:34 AM

Matt above...go listen to theGoGo's panty boy!

Posted by: Teresa Barajas on March 27, 2008 6:53 PM

Seriously...this is the problem with this pathetic country and how LEFT WING the media is. So what if a soft drink company wants to support AXL ROSE in releasing an album, why are we supposed to feel guilty that some toolbox (you) has made a connection to Tibetian monks struggling for freedom in China?

This promotion is fun at best. And if released the GNR album faster...GREAT. Why should we feel bad about having a little a fun with this. Why should DP? Why should Ketchun? Why should Axl Rose? Because a Rock Band's Album name (mind you which has been called this for 17 YEARS!) now applies to a current situation with a bunch of towel wearing monks - hey monks...if you don't like China..move - they are traveling light - shouldnt be a big problem.

Next you will tell me I am supposed to fear sorry for Sean Bell, because drug dealers who try to run over cops are "upstanding citizens" and "wrongly targeted". Maybe I should feel bad for muslims who are "profiled at airports", because even though 100% of the terrorist are muslims and 100% of muslims aren't terrorist - we shouldn't profile them. BS.

God Bless Ketchum for this press release. God Bless Chris K. for injecting some fun in our lives and DR P for following suit. Shame you for trying to bring anything negative around a worthwhile attempt to bring Axl Rose's version of Chinese Democracy to this world...newsflash toolbag...in reality...more Americans care about a free can of soda and a new GNR album than some plight of some munks 3,000 miles and 3,000 years away. Brad Pitt only spent 7 years in Tibet, GNR fans have been waiting 17 years for this album, I think we deserve it more.

Why dont you post your phone # so we can tell you what we think...but you won't...everyone knows you're just a pathetic computer he-man

Posted by: WhoCares on March 28, 2008 2:23 PM

Seriously...this is the problem with this pathetic country and how LEFT WING the media is. So what if a soft drink company wants to support AXL ROSE in releasing an album, why are we supposed to feel guilty that some toolbox (you) has made a connection to Tibetian monks struggling for freedom in China?

This promotion is fun at best. And if released the GNR album faster...GREAT. Why should we feel bad about having a little a fun with this. Why should DP? Why should Ketchun? Why should Axl Rose? Because a Rock Band's Album name (mind you which has been called this for 17 YEARS!) now applies to a current situation with a bunch of towel wearing monks - hey monks...if you don't like China..move - they are traveling light - shouldnt be a big problem.

Next you will tell me I am supposed to fear sorry for Sean Bell, because drug dealers who try to run over cops are "upstanding citizens" and "wrongly targeted". Maybe I should feel bad for muslims who are "profiled at airports", because even though 100% of the terrorist are muslims and 100% of muslims aren't terrorist - we shouldn't profile them. BS.

God Bless Ketchum for this press release. God Bless Chris K. for injecting some fun in our lives and DR P for following suit. Shame you for trying to bring anything negative around a worthwhile attempt to bring Axl Rose's version of Chinese Democracy to this world...newsflash toolbag...in reality...more Americans care about a free can of soda and a new GNR album than some plight of some munks 3,000 miles and 3,000 years away. Brad Pitt only spent 7 years in Tibet, GNR fans have been waiting 17 years for this album, I think we deserve it more.

Why dont you post your phone # so we can tell you what we think...but you won't...everyone knows you're just a pathetic computer he-man

Posted by: WhoCares on March 28, 2008 2:25 PM