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Ain't this a fine pickle? When is a pickle not a pickle? When it's confused with, uh, well look at this ad for Ivanabitch vodka and we've every confidence you can figure it out. According to Empire Communications Group, the ad agency for Ivanabitch, the campaign has now found itself in a pickle (OK, we simply had to throw that in), because Viacom Outdoor and Clear Channel Outdoor have both banned the ads in the brand's launch state of Florida. “These companies interpreted the pickle to be phallic,” said Pete Helow, a seemingly amazed managing partner at Empire, in this release. In fact, accompanying radio ads have also been banned, says the company, because they involve a woman saying she prefers her vodka "with a pickle." As for Helow's amazement, he says he was caught with his (oh let's not go there) because the intention of the ads is to introduce Americans to the way Russians drink vodka—with a pickle. Having never been there, we honestly don't know, but several posts from this forum on Russia.com support his contention. But whether the pickle is meant to be served straight up, like the vodka, isn't really explained. —Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

February 23, 2005 | Permalink

Comments

Catharine,

ADFreak readers can hear the radio spots on our agency's website: www.empirecg.com

They took a silver in our local ADDYs and are on their way to the regional competition. Ivanabitch also won in the POS category and package design.

Believe it or not, we were only trying to create a cocktail that was easily recognizable in a bar and specified our brand when called. Our client is a Russian based company and when we developed the brand name and strategy, they introduced us to the concept of drinking vodka neat, with a pickle.

It's been a fun ride so far, with no end in sight.

Pete Helow
Managing Partner
Empire Communications Group

Posted by: Pete Helow | Feb 27, 2005 9:08:09 AM

It's a pickle for crying out loud! Put two giant breasts in the ad and no one would notice. Sex sells... but only if it is a pair of blond twins with big boobs. What a farce!

Posted by: Miss Kitty | Apr 18, 2005 12:59:27 PM

Its all a publicity stunt.

Too much denial and joking.

"Forget about it"

Its beyond ridiculous !!!!

A good reputable advertising company would not make a big to do about it.

Posted by: anonymous | Sep 23, 2005 7:38:38 AM

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