Lipton responds to Dixie Chicks furor...

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

[lmavk]

Doesn't Lipton also sell other beverage products? Help me out here.

[NTegraT]

Well, thank you very much for that link to unilever.com. I learned a lot. How European, how global.

The Dixie Pix would not have said those things to ANY audience if she had not believed them. So saying that she's sincerely sorry if I'm upset does not change anything, her feelings and her willingness to express her feelings in a foreign venue. And Lipton's request that we be "tolerant"...I've had it. My tea bags are going back to the company. I can live without them and as much as I hate to give it up, I'll find a replacement for my favorite Ragu.

Hey, Lipton, it's my right and my choice not to purchase your products or those of your parent companies. I'm sure you can tolerate that!

[duckman]

I received the exact same response in the form of an e-mail. My guess is that due to contracts signed with DC they can't drop the sponsorship.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I can see your point, but I would have to say that your interpretation is probably predicated on good-will and reading words for their face value. I suppose I'm too far gone for that.

I cannot read these words from Lipton's PR people without hearing the echoes of political calculation and precise word-smithing for a maximum impact of 'commited-non-commitment.'

Like you, I detect the vibrations of a spider in this web of prevarication. As you note, a small example of the disingenuousness is cited by the singing of the National Anthem as some kind of proof of patriotism. Well, 'scuse me, but I can remember the 'patriot' Rosanne Barr's disgusting rendition of the Star Spangled Banner all too well. Furthermore, awards given by entertainment industry mean less than nothing to me. The spectacle of Hollywood in recent days is evidence of this.

I guess as far as I am concerned, when entertainment figures take their popularity and use it as a platform for their ignorant and definitely anti-patriotic views their status as entertainers ends and they become just one more parasite on the Nation that gave them opportunity in the first place.

[Hodar]

This is a copy of the letter I sent.

Ms. Linnea Johnson
Director, Consumer Services

I have just finished reading your letter on Lipton’s continued support of the Dixie Chicks. Frankly, the stance of Lipton makes me sick. Ms. Maine made the conscious decision to travel to a foreign country, and to be a spokesperson for the Dixie Chicks (and by proxy, Lipton). Her comments were an insult, and while I support her right to free speech, there are also the issues of responsibilities assumed when doing so. If she lamented about how the world needs more leaders like Hitler Stalin, and Saddam, would Lipton still support her? I mean, she DID say she was sorry. Well, she apologized after she found out that she had cost her group sales and endorsements. Good grief, if I opened my mouth and said ‘Good Morning’, and it cost me $1, I’d apologize too.

I find her apology completely devoid of emotion, regret or selflessness. Her apology is simply a disingenuous attempt to recover funds, sales and promotional money potentially lost by her rant.

This is a great country, and living in Texas; we have the best of all possible worlds. Mild winters, warm springs, and hot summers. We also have a choice of several products that we use to quench our thirst on these hot summer days. For the first time in my life; my family will try an assortment of new teas. Lipton will no longer be consumed, nor welcome in our home. Naturally, exercising my rights of free speech, I will encourage my friends, relatives and neighbors to try the alternative teas; all readily available at our supermarkets, at prices that are competitive to yours.

Isn’t America grand? We all have the right to live as we please, to act as we please … then again, we are held accountable for our decisions in life.

[Aeronaut]

I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect.

Bullfeathers! Think X42.

[Semper Vigilantis]

This isn't a one time slip of the tongue. Don't forget that Natalie dissed Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue: The Angry American" as well. I see a pattern here.

[j_tull]

Dixie Chicks sincerely regret the distress Ms. Maine's comment has caused.

Correct. They don't regret the remark, they "regret the distress it caused."

[sd-joe]

Excellent, excellent letter. Very well done, this really does make the key points.

[isthisnickcool]

Unilever owns Ben and Jerry's, Dove Soap, etc,etc,etc.

They are a multi-national and it's likely they really could care less about what Natalie Pasdar (her husbands father is from iran)says. They think they are too big to be messed with.

[Servant of the Nine]

Luzianne is sometimes a little harder to find, but the better taste and the Vichy Chicks make it worth the effort.

Luzianne Mail Order

So9

[schaketo]

Here's what I just sent:

---

Anti-American Dixie Chicks Tour

Below is your canned response you’ve been sending out regarding the Dixie Chick’s (the face of your company) disgusting, anti-American remarks on foreign soil.

In reading this response it is apparent to millions of Americans you support Natalie Maines’ opinions and statements.

Good enough. We will not forget. It won’t be just Lipton tea that will suffer; it will be all your products.

Looking for an example? Call the CEO of KMart and ask them how they now feel about their relationship with Rosie O’Donnell. Worked wonders for them. Their going out of business. Millions of Americans stopped shopping there permanently.

Natalie Maine’s and the Dixie Chicks insulted America. There apology was canned and contrived. Doublespeak. Your continued support of them helps us better understand who and what you are.

We had a tea party at our house last night. It was very similar to the Boston Tea party and your product was the guest of honor. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

[strela]

The Dixie Chicks have in the past shown their love of America in very public ways, such as by singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in January, for an audience of 930 million people worldwide.

And for an appearance fee of how much? Or did they do it out of the goodness of their carbonated li'l hearts?

[IncPen]

FReeping Lipton and Unilever is important and it works.

I have some experience in celebrity branding and posted an outline of why...

Why FReeping Lipton and Unilever about the Dixie Chicks Is a Good Idea, and Why It's Effective

[WorkingClassFilth]

Yeah, you and me and about a zillion other "Dear Consumers." A mass mailing without personal consideration for specific comments, insightful thought or reasoned discourse. A bland product marketed for the undiscerning minds. Typical cover for thoughtless spokespeople from anonymous corporations.

[Hodar]

Thanks, please feel free to cut'n paste at will. Change whatever portions you like.
Remember the key idea in movements like this. Typically, when poor service is given, less than 4% will tell management. The other 96% will tell everyone. So, each letter actually represents many, many more opinins than just yours. So, phrase it accordingly.

[Laurie S]

Good point! I wonder how much they got paid for singing the anthem! I can't stand to see all of these people making money off of our patriotism. :(

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I just dumped all my Lipton tea in the local "harbor" (my toilet)!

[Hodar]

I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect.

I think what was meant to be said was 'I respected X42, until he demonstrated (repeatedly) that he was unworthy of my respect'. I respected Clinton for the first month or so.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

It appears that Lipton has a response prepared for reasoned comments and I commend them also for their thoughtful approach. They didn't ask for this.

I beg to differ. As long as companies sponsor anything, they have the responsibility to own up to what comes out of what they sponsor.