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.
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