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Just yesterday I was talking to an online ad company exec about the fact that there are still companies who refuse to put advertisements on sites with too many “political” keywords. The example she gave was predictable, Land ‘O Lakes (boycott that company), and she cited the fact that Nike took a stand as a powerful example for other brands. She said that it would be ridiculous if brand decisions led to online censorship, that we may lose a little advertising by taking a definitive stand, but that it should not influence how or what we write. My position, as always, is that there is no other choice when it comes to good vs. evil. It’s not politics anymore it’s basic human decency. We block all ads from Republicans and we’re not tiptoeing around anything. So it’s notable when brands celebrate diversity and inclusivity at a time when the President is demonizing and imprisoning immigrants and children.
Skyy Vodka’s new “proudly American” commercials starring John Cena are frankly wonderful. No one paid me to say this, although if Skyy wants to send some samples over to Hecate’s house they’re welcome. (Kaiser and I don’t drink anymore. Corey is retired now after switching day jobs but she would probably appreciate some vodka too.) I’m sorry I missed their earlier commercials featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner Trixie Mattel. She was their brand rep before John Cena and is still featured. Cena’s new commercials are awesome and cute. I don’t underestimate the nerve required to create these type of ads, but it’s also smart business sense. Skyy’s new commercials are especially smart and subversive because they shut down criticism by showing that embracing and standing up for gay rights and immigrants’ rights is inherently American. *raises fist* Plus there’s a lot of patriotism, and who can argue with that?
Here’s the first commercial, a celebration of freedom and the Statue of Liberty, 90s boy band style. I really enjoyed this.
Another one in which Cena says he pledges allegiance to the American dream, women argue in Spanish over pineapple on pizza, Cena runs in a “fun run” that’s diverse and colorful, reminiscent of a pride march, and Trixie Mattel gets her makeup on.
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had Skyy, but that used to be my vodka of choice along with flavored Pinnacle. It’s highly filtered so it may prevent hangovers. (At least I’ve heard anecdotal evidence claiming that, I can’t remember too much about my own experiences with it.) I would definitely be buying it if I still drank. Take note ad agencies and companies. We will give you free advertising, your commercials will go viral and more people will buy your products if you come out clearly on the good side. If you don’t, if you support this administration, we will talk about it and we will boycott you.
photos credit: Getty
I love it that my “related videos” direct me to “can vodka be used as gasoline?”
I, too, like commercials that play on my beliefs about what it is to be American. Bring on a multiethnic America. Bring on LGBTQ. Bring on all kind stuff of stuff that treasures good people for being who they are.
And I really like John Cena and I am almost embarrassed by that! He seems to have finally let some of the ridiculous muscles go and he looks much better.
This definitely warms the cockles of my heart on a cold near-winter morning. (As, I’m certain, would a shot of Skyy in my coffee….)
Love these! More companies need to follow suit not only because it’s what America stands for, but also because it makes damn good business sense!
Yeah, they are great. I’m wondering who on the right is or will be trashing them, though. Maybe Tomi? It’s exhausting.
Last night I saw a Walmart commercial where a woman was quizzing an associate about gifts for people in her life. At the end she says, “What about for my wife?” I was completely blown away by Walmart, of all companies, putting out a commercial featuring that particular storyline. Then I realized they probably don’t air it in the deep south.
That was a Best Buy commercial. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly shocked too.
hahaha these are hilarious. He looks so much like Nick Carter in the boy band one with the 90s haircut! Ahh I love it.
I’ve loved Cena since that hilarious WWF phone prank ( YouTube if haven’t seen it , I ugly laugh/ cry when I watch it )
It’’s really a sign of our times that just being a decent, non judge mental person is note worthy…
The moral of the story is: IF YOU WANT YOUR PRODUCT TO SELL ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD, DON’T SUPPORT PATHETIC BIGOTS OR NAZI SYMPATHIZING A**HOLES.
“The only way to destroy them is to expose them—to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are.” Stan Lee
Powerful words from a great visionary man. R.I.P Stan Lee and thank you for your contributions to this planet
I still managed to get ads for my Republican House candidate on this website – several times in fact. I was really surprised because a) I’m decidedly *not* a Republican b) very little in my search history would indicate I’m a Republican – in fact, quite the opposite, so I was surprised I was targeted in this way (I do check Fox News to see how they are reporting things, but usually only 1x~ a week, 99% of my news/history is from moderate/liberal sources) and c) I was just surprised to see Republican ads on this site. FWIW, I assumed it was a mistake.
If you would have emailed or tweeted me the url I would have blocked those.
Will do if I see them again 🙂
I occasionally got ads for Republicans on this site as well, and found it odd. Now that mid-terms are over I am seeing Ashley Madison ads pretty regularly lol
I DM them to @celebitchy in Instagram and she is lightning fast in blocking them.
Yes! Before the election, I received Ads for Lt. Gov Dan Patrick in Texas. That was…disturbing.
Me too, and since I live in a red county, he got re-elected 😟 I will let you know next time for sure!
I’m a pretty open, enthusiastic wrestling fan (my husband were both super fans as little kids and it’s something we watch together to decompress now), and watching John Cena transition from WWE company man to an oddball champion of decency and tolerance, and pretty good comedic actor has been delightful.
Most notably, he backed out of WWE’s special event in Saudi Arabia after the Khashoggi murder went public, probably foregoing an enormous paycheck in the process. Obviously, that was a carefully managed decision by his PR team to protect future career interests, but I also think he genuinely believed it was the right thing to do. He’s a cool, weird, dude and I’m into it.
I didn’t know who he was until I saw him in Trainwreck – he stole the movie from Amy Schumer, IMO. I love that he pulled out of the Saudi event, and now this. He’s got a fan in me!
Edit: I wonder if the “proudly American” slogan is throwing shade at Russian vodka?
Me too @Mehgetarian. Usually men with these type of muscles are not my thing, but John Cena is wonderful. I’ve found that I actively dislike middle-of-the-road men I used to put into this category of “cool, weird, dude” like The Rock and Chris Pratt. I know Dwayne Johnson put out some words with the Under Armor CEO debacle, but otherwise he is quiet. Chris Pratt signed and posted the joint letter supporting James Gunn, but otherwise nada. While none of these, and others, are spurious or overt actions, doing nothing comes onto my radar slowly and then I realized I’ve started to actively boycott these guys. I have no room for milquetoast in these times. Saying nothing used to equate to a nice person, I suppose, but if you’re trying to get by with staying under the radar… goodbye. BTW thanks Celebitchy for actively blocking and taking a stand, it’s heroic, fr.
p.s. I don’t drink either, but I make tinctures. LOL. Skyy will be my brand for sure.
I may be a little traumatized by boy band John Cena, but I’m loving both videos. Celebrate diversity! That is America!
His hair has completely deflated the lady boner I had for him. Embrace the grey Johnny! Stop the just for men at home kits. Please.
Celebitchy! Question, you and Kaiser talk a lot about how you don’t drink anymore. I recently have come to this path too – question, does it bother you now or do you enjoy not drinking now? Love to share some insight if you’re up for connecting with a fangirl about this. Thx. Love y’all anyway! and John Cena – this is the best. YAY for movement towards good.