Lipton responds to Dixie Chicks furor...

Corporate e-mail in response to my complaint. | March 27, 2003 | WorkingClassFilth

[longtermmemmory]

I am real curious if there is still going to be a lipton tv commercial with the Dixie blips.

[Gopher Broke]

I got the same brush-off letter from Lipton and sent them this response, quoting in part from their response to me...

To: comments@unilever.com

Dear Lipton/Unilever,

I had hoped you would do the right thing...rather than the standard corporate excuse.

What I wanted to hear was:

"As you can imagine, we did not expect a political controversy to arise when Lipton became a sponsor of the Dixie Chicks upcoming "Top of the World" concert tour. In this time of national crisis, we PUT AMERICA FIRST AND SO HAVE DECIDED TO DROP SUPPORT FOR THE DIXIE CHICKS IMMEDIATELY. YES, THIS IS AN EMBARASSMENT FOR US BUT WE REALIZE THAT WE MUST DO RIGHT BY AMERICA FIRST, RATHER THAN HIDE FROM THIS CONTROVERSY.

This is what you should have sent.

So, my boycott of Lipton/Unilever is ON...I have already disappointed my wife by not buying the Lipton Peach Tea I regularly buy, but my decision is final.

I will watch to see if you do the right thing.

[Mudboy Slim]

Lipton SUCKS...MUD

[bmwcyle]

My reply was, "This is such B*&L S&*T". Only I spelled it out.

[Ignatz]

Goodbye Lipton, hello Tetley!

[Zacs Mom]

Since Liptons is satisfied that the 'apology' given closes this matter, I would suggest, for those with an opinion on this matter, you need to direct your comments to Lipton's parent company ~

Unilever

FYI ~ from Unilever's Approach to Social Responsibility:

"Society ~ At Unilever we are committed to the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards our employees, consumers and the societies in which we operate. This is our road to sustainable, profitable growth for our business and long-term value creation for our shareholders and employees.

"For Unilever, corporate social responsibility is an integral part of our operating tradition. It is at the heart of our Corporate Purpose and is reflected in our Code of Business Principles. We believe that these commitments are not just an expression of our values, but that in living them out they contribute to our success.

see http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/894877/posts?page=58#58 post for related info

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

I will not buy anything associated Lipton from now one... I too believe in the "Democracy" these empty suits speak of.

[mewzilla]

What's Lipton?

[Rabid Dog]

Just sent in my e-mail to Lipton saying "bye-bye".

[Grampa Dave]

Send their board the individal teabag covers from other teas after you use the teabags from competitors.

Then tell Unilever, that we will treat Unilever like it was a French Company!

[AgentEcho]

Any suggestions on a suitable replacement? I grew up on Lipton and can't stand Tetley. AND NONE OF THAT HERBAL CRUD!

Æ

[Grampa Dave]

We and our Brit friends like Bigelow and some of the Tetley brands.

Bigelow makes Earl Grey and English Teatime and other good teas.

We will be entering the time when I make Sun Tea for iced tea. I use three or four bags of the real teas made by Bigelow and a couple of bags of their Lemon Lift Tea with fresh mint for a half gallon of sun tea. Our water is hard, and our DIL has soft water and she uses two bags of real tea with one bag of their Lemon Lift.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Do a google search for tea distributers or sales. There are a number of companies importing bulk leaf teas. Also, check your local oriental food stores. I used to drink Keemun by the quart.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Thanks for your continued interest and replies everybody! Keep up the heat and it will pay off.

Tonight, I'm celebrating a win of a concealed carry reform bill in Minnesota. I spent the day over at the Capitol will a mess of concealed carry reformers in the Senate Gallery. I listened to Democrats cry and lie all day long. In the end, they lost 37 to 30 and Minnesota will become the 36th 'Shall Issue' state.

Persistence pays off.

[Cultural Jihad]

This should put you into contact with some corporate drone that doesn't give a rat's *ss about what you think.

Hardly so. They care a lot of what you and I think. Business hates controversy. They are not in the business of assaulting the sensitivities and sensibilities of their customers. They well know that each letter they receive carries the weight of 10,000 people who are equally upset but who didn't bother to write a letter.

[WorkingClassFilth]

That all depends on their numbers. If it is an issue in the profit column, yes, they will listen. If not, they'll tell you in right-speak to stick it where the sun don't shine.

[Cultural Jihad]

Well, that all goes without saying. Anything so controversial is going to hit their pocketbook, which is all they are supposed to care about. Controversy brings business headaches which they don't want or need.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Precisely why I posted their mealy-mouthed reply here on FR. I figured that a few thousand pissed-off FReepers holding out their tea dollars might constitute a mini 'tea party' or just turn into a tempest in a tea cup on its own.

We'll need to see what happens this week as the Dixie Chicks open their North American tour...

[meadsjn]

I'll stick with coffee, thank you.

[Calvin Locke]

...move to France.

I believe John Malkovich's house may be available...