Hey, world
Posted on 08/16/2006 7:37:05 PM PDT by econjack
On August 15th, I posted the following in response to Indra Nooyi’s appointment as CEO of Pepsico:
This is a copy of the letter I just sent to Pepsico.
Dear BOD:
I have been a consumer of Pepsi products as long as I can remember. Indeed, my grandfather bought Pepsi stock in the post-depression era which was subsequently willed to my parents. However, that came to an end today when you announced the appointment of Indra K. Nooyi as your new CEO. I have read her speech where she referred to the US as the "middle finger" of a world-wide hand. While she says elsewhere that the US is her adopted country, her views of the US are so diametrically opposed to mine that I cannot believe that her allegiance lies with the US. Despite her public statement, you still appointed her to such a position of responsibility in your company, which makes you appear to support what she says, as well.
While my actions won't have much impact, I am urging my students (I teach at a Big-10 university) to boycott your products and I am urging the fund managers at TIAA-CREF, the worldwide University Professors retirement fund company, to rid itself of Pepsico stock. I also intend to post this letter on Free Republic in the hope that others do the same.
Today, I received the following email:
A Message from Pepsico 000003219A
Dear Jack,
The PepsiCo Board of Directors received your correspondence regarding Indra Nooyi’s appointment as CEO and the speech at Columbia University in May 2005. They value your comments and feelings and asked me to promptly respond on their behalf.
PepsiCo is an American-born and raised enterprise – a company that has, for more than a century, done business with brand-names that speak “America” all over the world. So the issues you raised about this regrettable incident are shared, and the hurt it has caused is taken seriously.
If you have not seen Ms. Nooyi’s apology for those comments, which was issued publicly and immediately at the time, we wanted to provide it to you:
“Following my remarks to the graduating class of Columbia University’s Business School in New York City, I have come to realize that my words and examples about America unintentionally depicted our country negatively and hurt people. I appreciate the honest comments that have been shared with me since then, and am deeply sorry for offending anyone. I love America unshakably – without hesitation – and am extremely grateful for the opportunities and support our great nation has always provided me.
“Over the years I’ve witnessed and advised others how a thoughtless gesture or comment can hurt good, caring people. Regrettably, I’ve proven my own point. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
We thank you again for your heartfelt comments, and promise to do all we can to regain your trust and confidence.
Marianne Dalton
000003219A
I'm impressed with their reply. This is gonna hurt them once the word gets out on a larger scale. The middle finger comment just doesn't go down too well.
Yes, but who would ever say something like that in the first place?
Perhaps she will be the next Carly Fiorina. Let's see if her first act is to lay people off while buying herself a new jet.
Sometimes, when you are a CEO, you only get to make a mistake once.
Oh, I almost forgot. A lot of restaurants use Pepsi products - can only order Pepsi, not Coke. Applebees is one example. I plan to write Applebees and tell them they should cease using Pepsi and give them this reason. Just thought I'd let ya know.
Well, as long as she "loves" America than it is okay for her to bash it. </liberal mindset>
Good point...there are a lot of businesses that have similar policies.
Dammit,now I can't drink pepsi or coke.
Lucent and HP... she did a hell of a job with those two companies.
On the other hand, one would have to coerce me very strongly to be so quick to overlook a remark that degraded America.
People who say such things have no business benefitting -- look what America has done for her from the sacrifices of those who love this great land.
Screw her.
Why? Good grammar, nice punctuation and spelling? It is a non apology apology.
You letter was excellent. I don't believe Pepsico did themselves much good reporting her nonapology apology.
She did not take back a thing she said did she? I have to agree with you. One would not think the business prospects of a firm that makes a loony-leftist as their CEO would be very good. Maybe it is time to sell them short?
It is the finger she supports our troops and CIC with. I give the same support to ayatohla cola, and its subhumansidiaries!
I've seen corporate apologies before and this one appears sincere. I think they're nervous. They didn't defend her. They only referred to her apology. I can't believe they promoted that moonbat!
Yuh, right, unintentional. Here's middle finger to you Indra. Switching to Coke.
I have my own feelings about the response, but I decided to post the response without my comments or sentiments. I made this post because other Freepers requested that I post any response I might receive from Pepsico.
Hey, world
"Had to destroy it to save it..." < / liberal agitator >
no, it's not. but when someone calls you that, well, you gots to wonder what they mean.
I just want to thank-you for reminding us, and those around you of this shrew.
You have done exactly what a citizen should in this situation, and thus we are all better informed because of you!
Bank on it.
sjb
I stopped drinking pepsi products when I found out they supported gun control.
Is? Will be...
I like the taste of Diet Pepsi (yah, it's an acquired taste), but this is too much. Coke still hasn't rediscovered the taste of my childhood (and I do not like the tastes of their current American offerings), so I guess I'm a free agent. RC Cola is rare in my neck of the woods, but I'll be looking at alternatives.
Maybe I'll just dump the colas for old beloved Vernor's Ale, a recent arrival on the West Coast.
You didn't quote me. I remember RC Cola too. Can't get it here. I would buy that for sure if I could.
Don't ever do a "reverse burp" with Vernor's...it will burn your brains out!
I am NOT impressed with their reply.
This Beeetch is anti American.I read the whole speech and the whole thing was Arrogantly Anti American...It was insulting, inappropriateand sounded like some European telling us what F-up's Americans are and telling us how we should "behave" and be aware of the rest of international feelings about us!
Her apology is typical Liberal...it is NOT an apology. This Beetch still does not get it! And I still don't know if she even and her husband are American Citizens.I bet not.
I will take my anger and disgust to writing eveyone of their sponsors and affiliates.
She sounds like one more moronic CEO. I think that is a requirement nowdays.
I have also just sent a letter to Pepsi Co.
Dear PEPSI CO. Board of Directors:
I regularly use Pepsi products, and I believe that Pepsi is a very large part of America and all that it stands for. I am a veteran of the U.S. Marines, and I care very deeply for this country. I would give my life to protect it, and to protect it's citizens. However, I have just learned that you have appointed Indra K. Nooyi as your new CEO. This distresses me greatly.
I know that Ms. Nooyi recently gave a speech where she described the US as the "middle finger" of a world-wide hand.
I cannot allow this to stand without voicing my heartfelt disappointment with your company.
Ms. Nooyi, is not the role model I expect your company to accept as the CEO of this great company. She is an embarrassment, an immature partisan, and more importantly her actions have no place in corporate America.
I regret, that I will no longer be able to purchase Pepsi products until this person is removed from her current position, and any position of authority.
I will also encourage as many people as possible to also discontinue the use, and purchase, of Pepsi products until this Ms. Nooyi is removed from office.
I am aware that Ms. Nooyi has issued a public statement regarding her college speech, but I do not consider her statement sincere. I also cannot accept her apology, when the offense was so egregious.
Please remove her from any position of authority immediately, and forthwith. At that time I will write to you, and inform you when I have resumed using and purchasing Pepsi products.
Sincerely,
Translation: I am sorry YOU are offended but my opinion stands.
So much for pepsi in the portfolio.
They join Unilever.
read it, its a non appology. "I am sorry YOU are offended but that is your problem."
It is clintonesque.
Pepsi the madona drink...
If I was PepsiCo I would fire or at the very least demote this woman.
seems we are about to dixie chix Pepsico.
Pepsi DOA.
I doubt we will sell our Pepsico stock over the whole thing but I don't like her one bit. It is our family income. We drink Coke but do eat Frito Lay chips.
"Reverse burp?" I've burped enough on Vernor's (both hot & cold) and have survived with... my brane... intacked... uh? *\:-~
It says a lot about Pepsi's corporate culture that they'd put the gaffe-prone wench in charge. The last thing you need at the helm of a CONSUMER PRODUCTS company is someone who angers consumers. /shakes head
Good...
If enough of us tell Pepsico that we're more than a little miffed at what she said, it might make a difference. If that doesn't happen, I'll bet the BOD puts a muzzle on her.
“Following my remarks to the graduating class of Columbia University’s Business School in New York City, I have come to realize...lalalala..."
I call that crayfishing...others might be less charitable.
Funny thing, of the "Big 2" I prefer Coke (but drink Dr Pepper when it's available) but the Pepsi people I've known always were easier to be around...except probably her...
You know...the burp that comes out your nose immediately after igniting 12 pounds of napalm at the back of your head...
Amen. Pepsi doesn't even carry most of the profit margin anyway. I'm not sure how the Tropicana, Gatorade, or Quaker profits go.
Wading through the inumerable Gibson threads, I noted a lot of folks saying "Hey, he apologized, now lay off him." A perfectly reasonable position, IMO.
Okay, here are a couple questions for discussion:
1) Was Ms. PepsiCEO's apology at least as sincere as Mel's?
2) If so, should folks lay off her now? If not, why not?
I'm inclined to think they were equally apologetic (i.e., as apologetic as you can be when you get caught out).
Michael Medved made a big deal about this today. We sold our Pepsi stock, too. "Shut up and Sing/ CEO."
The best kind!!
I'm more upset about Pepsi being a gun-grabber than I am about the middle finger comment. Still, I'll buy according to price. I like Coke a little better for taste.
And of course there is always beer.
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