WHERE SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING MEETS LGBTQ+ EQUALITY



Absolut vodka - Garter/Au Kurant

Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
    View Company Scorecard | Contact Company
Brand: Absolut vodka
Ad Title: Garter/Au Kurant
Business Category: Alcoholic Beverages
Media Outlets: Print
Country: United States
Region: North America
Agency: TBWA Worldwide
Year: 1998
Target: Gays & Mainstream
none

A garter (black, with a lavender Absolut bottle-shaped clip) is shown in a close up of someone's leg. While the person may be a woman, the gender is unknown since only a leg shows, and could also be read as a man in drag.

The ad has appeared in both general and gay magazines, and appears to be intentionally gay vague. The campaign ran for several years and included another version that featured a corset with similar handling.

One of the most venerable brands in the gay market, Absolut has had a consistent presence for over 20 years gracing the back covers of gay magazines years before any other major advertiser. Yet for all its recognition in the gay market and longterm presence, Absolut has only done a handful of truly gay-specific ads. But the company has been very involved in gay events, such as the GLAAD Media Awards (sponsored since 1989) and in 2000 it sponsored Absolut Tom, the fall collection of Tom of Finland, a clothing extension of the homoerotic gay artist.

Alcohol is by far the most crowded category in gay marketing, with over 40 brands jostling for attention. Perhaps the most consistent presence has been Seagram's Absolut vodka for over 17 years, but Miller Brewing Co. has also had a mixed presence in gay media since the mid-1970s. Somewhat impervious to early fears of criticism from religious conservatives that other marketers worried about, so-called "sin products" such as alcohol also had something no other marketers did before the 1990s ? an easily quantifiable marketplace: gay bars. They didn't need to do research to find out how much gays purchased their products, they just looked at their sales.

none

Be the first to comment on this ad!
none


Cut The Crap
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: France
Region: Australia/New Zealand
Year: 2006


Absolut First
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America
Year: 2004


Absolut Commitment
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America, US Regional
Year: 2005


Corset/Absolut Au Kurant
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America
Year: 1997


Absolut Out
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America, US Regional
Year: 2003


Absolut Achievement
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America, US Regional
Year: 2003


Absolut Haring
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America
Year: 1995


Absolut Pride
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: Canada , United States
Region: North America
Year: 1996


Absolut Manline
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: Canada
Region: North America
Year: 1996


Absolut Coming Out/Going In
Company: V&S Vin & Spirit AB
Brand: Absolut vodka
Country: United States
Region: North America
Year: 2000


none

Submit An Ad Test An Ad Rate An Ad Post Comments