Big Snapple? Selling the City, Drink by Drink

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Published on Monday, September 15, 2003 by CommonDreams.org
Big Snapple? Selling the City, Drink by Drink
by Ralph Nader


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg held a news conference on September 9th which was described by the New York Post this way: "Looking more like a pitchman than a politician, the mayor bought an orange-mango juice drink from a Snapple machine, opened it and took a sip."

In so doing, the Mayor's common sense snapped, as he committed New York City unilaterally to naming Snapple as the official water, juice and iced tea provider for the nation's largest metropolis. The elaborate five-year agreement -- not publically available -- transferred $166 million from Snapple to the City in return for exclusive selling rights of these and other products in the public schools and public buildings. Snapple's logo is to go on ferries and garbage cans.

About forty million dollars of this sum would go to the Schools and the rest to the city's general budget. Snapple won the selection contest over seven other beverage sellers which the Mayor refused to name.

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0915-10.htm

[T Roosevelt]

1. Wait a minute

isn't Snapple a major Limpballs advertiser?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. yep

he did commercial for them on radio for a while

[Lefty48197]

3. I'm still boycotting Snapple

Even though Fat Ass Limbaugh hasn't had them as a sponsor for over ten years, I think. I'll never forget that they funded the right-wing hate machine. Go to hell Snapple. You suck.

[BrotherBuzz]

4. Me too

Haven't touched a Snapple thing since 1983 or 84 because of their support of that jerk Limbo. As for them not presently sponsoring Limbaugh, I wouldn't know as I don't tune into his program, but I will never ever drink a Sapple thing. Damage has been done, simple as that.

"WE SPONSOR RACISTS AND SEXISTS FROM RIGHT TO BOTTOM" -- Snapple Beverage Corp.

In a letter answering a customer's complaint about its sponsorship of Rush Limbaugh, Snapple boasted of its commitment to diversity: "We do not necessarily agree with point of view. For example, we are a sponsor of the Howard Stern radio and national television show. Howard Stern expresses opinions that are completely opposite to those of Rush Limbaugh. As a supporter of the right to freedom of speech, our advertising extends across all disciplines: from right to the left and everything in between." True diversity: Stern belittles women's breast size, Limbaugh their brains.